James Ray Byrne

James Ray Byrne, Sr., 80, of Biloxi was born on April 23, 1932 in Brookhaven, Mississippi and went home to our Lord December 31, 2012 after succumbing to the effects of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. He is preceded in death by his wife Virginia M. Byrne of 62 years, father, Reasy E. Byrne, Sr., mother, Willie M. Byrne-Rank, step-father, Edwin Rank, daughter, Sandra Van Acker Roberts, grandson, Gregory James Van Acker, brothers, Reasy Byrne, Jr., L. C. Byrne, sister, Claudell Yeary, and half-brother, Harold Byrne, Sr. He is survived by his son James R. Byrne, Jr. (Karen), two daughters, Janice R. Jackson (Wayne) and Stacie L. Smith (Brandon), grandsons, Duane Van Acker, Scott Jackson, Dustin Jackson, Brendan Ferrer, Michael Smith and Blayton Smith, and grand-daughter, Marianne Slaughter and 14 great-grand children. He is also survived by three sisters, Marie Nichols, Eloise Kycek, Ann Whetzel and a brother, Ronnie Rank, Jr. After moving to Biloxi, MS in 1950, James did whatever was necessary to provide for his family. He started a small painting company and in providing excellence in his business, he became known in the community and surrounding areas as “THE Painter.” There are those in his surviving family that recall that when times were tough James was known to work all day painting and then do additional odd jobs to fill the gaps. “Daddy’s hands could do anything” and did. His children most assuredly remember Daddy’s hands. It is recalled, that James never met a stranger. His kind face and gentle ways will always be remembered by friends and the love and care that he gave to his family will always be remembered in the days to come. It is only fitting for a loving and caring man to have been loved and cared for by his immediate family and his extended family from Hospice during his final time in this earthly home and this family knows that he is now being loved and cared for by those in his heavenly home. Funeral services will be held at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Friends may visit one hour prior. Burial will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park.