Cecil Gilbert Byrum

   A man, known to many of his family and friends as “Cecil Bud”, or “The Goat Man”, passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at Prime Time Assisted Living.

   For the last four years, Cecil Gilbert Byrum, age 97, had lived at Prime Time, and for a short time at Chowan River Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, both in Edenton, NC. Using the word “living” does not accurately describe his existence. In the early years at Prime Time, he loved sitting on the porch and hopping up to open the door for visitors, and thereby began many long time friendships. He took it upon himself to help all the other residents and staff in any way he could. He truly made these two facilities his home, and loved to sing with all the visiting groups. Singing along with Alan Jackson’s CD, “Blessed Assurance” was one of his greatest pleasures these last few years.

   During World War II, Mr. Byrum served in the US Army Infantry. He served both in the United States and in the Philippines and attained the rank of Technician Fifth Grad (E-5). For his service, he was awarded the Army Occupation Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Mr. Byrum was proud of his service and often enjoyed sharing stories about his adventures while in the Army.

   Farming, gardening, and raising all types of farm animals, especially goats, were “Cecil Bud’s” pleasure. In addition to farming, he also worked at the Edenton Cotton Mill for many years, the Chowan County Recycling Center (Frog Crossing and Evans Church sites), and was the grounds keeper for the Arrowhead Beach Property Owner’s Association. He loved sitting around M&R’s Country Store, and visiting with all the local and one time customers as he knew no strangers. A member of Center Hill Baptist Church, he counted among his many joys the times in the 1960’s when he coached their girls softball team.

   His biggest regret was that he didn’t get an education, but anyone who knew him, knew he had educated himself with “on the job” training, and he knew how to “jimmy rig” with best of them.

   Preceding “Cecil Bud” in death were his parents, Cecil and Missouri Elizabeth Boyce Byrum; his wives, Emma Layton Byrum and Joan O’Neal Byrum; his daughter, Gloria Byrum Stallings; his son-in-law, Edward R. Summerlin; sisters Leona Byrum Price of Norfolk, VA, and Carrie Byrum Rountree of Corapeake, and Janice Byrum Hobbs of Tyner and then later of Elizabeth City.

   Surviving are his daughters, Margaret Byrum Belvin and husband Gene of Norfolk, Joyce Byrum Summerlin of Roanoke Rapids, and Bertha Byrum Blanchard and husband Richard of Edenton; and a son-in-law, Richard E. Stallings of Belvidere. Also surviving are his brother, Weldon Byrum, and his sister, Marjorie Byrum Winslow, and their families, all of Hertford, and a loved niece, Paige and husband Grover of Newport News, VA. Mr. Byrum was loved by his four granddaughters, four grandsons, and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and he loved them equally.

   Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, and will be conducted by his pastor, The Rev. Russell Blanchard. Burial will follow in the Byrum Family Cemetery on Happy Home Road. Friends may join the family Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home, and other times at Bertha’s home, 143 Cowpen Neck Road, Edenton.

   In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Legion Post 40, PO Box 390, Edenton, NC 27932, and on the memo line reference: VETERANS SERVICE FUND.