Denver Ray Byrd

Denver Ray Byrd was born January 18, 1962 the James Carlyle and Geraldine Byrd. He peacefully transitioned this walk of life on, Monday, August 31, 2020 at Memorial Health in Savannah, Georgia. 

He was reared by his grandparents, Fess Byrd and Lee and Levada Byrd Joiner in Candler County, Georgia. Denver's formal education began at Lillian Street School, and a high school diploma was earned from Metter High School as a graduating member of the Metter High School Class of 1980. While there, he was a Stand-Out Starters on the Metter High School "Fighting" Tigers Boys Basketball team. He then completed two years at Gainesville Jr. College, Gainesville, Georgia, where he was a member of the Gainesville Lakers Men's Basketball team, and from there, he signed with and became a member of the Georgia Southern College Eagles Men's Basketball Team. 

In his youth, Denver Ray united with Mercer Grove Missionary Baptist Church Family. He became a member of Open Arms Outreach Ministry as a resident in Twin City, Georgia; upon his relocation to Statesboro, Georgia, he united with Agape Worship Center and later, became a member of the Gospel Choir and Thomas Male Ensemble as a unit of the Body of Christ with New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Register, Georgia.  Denver Ray, a servant of God, also served this country in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Denver is preceded in death by his mother, grandparents, and one sister, Michelle Carlyle

He was blessed to have five siblings, Ricky Williams, Tommy Pierce, Kevin Carlyle, Jackie Frazier, Sondra Mincey; seven uncles, Harold (Stella) Byrd, Reverend Ralph Carlyle, Reverend Robert Carlyle, "O.T." Carlyle, David Carlyle, and Joe Manley; five aunts, Janie Lou Parrish, Bettye Clark, Cathy Manley, Dorothy Brown, and Alma Addison; one God-given child, Mylz A. Rivers and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. 

The Staff of Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to support and serve the Byrd family with Dignity, Respect and Integrity. 

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