Lenious Leroy Byrd passed peacefully on July 13, 2025 at Lakeside Senior Living in Richmond, VA.  He was born on September 4, 1935 in Hampton, VA and was the 2nd child of the late Hudson L. Byrd Sr. and Larnell Jenkins Byrd.  He grew up in the Aberdeen Gardens community until his family moved to Dendron, VA in the mid-1940s.  He attended public schools in the City of Hampton and Surry County.

Leroy, as he was known, enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in active duty from February 1959 to November 1960 and in the Army Reserves until 1965.  He loved serving his country and his favorite time was spent in Washington state at Fort Lewis.  Once he left the Army, he returned to Waverly and started farming with his father. He continued farming until he retired in the early 2000s.  He also was a carpenter and loved building homes, working on building projects at the church, and other odd jobs.

Leroy met Ethel Mae Irene King through an introduction by his friend George Young.  They married in August 1958 and were married for 56 years until Irene passed in 2014.  To this union, three children were born.

Leroy enjoyed the simple things in life.  One of his favorite sayings was "I can be a better me than I can be anyone else."  He enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys, attending NASCAR races, working in the yard, collecting antiques, taking trips to Florida, spending time with family and friends and in his later years watching game shows and judge shows.

He accepted Christ as his savior at an early age.  He was a faithful member of St. Paul Holiness Church until his health declined, and he moved to the Richmond area in September 2022.  Over the years he served as a deacon, trustee and enjoyed singing in various choirs.  One of his favorite songs to sing was "Stand" by Donnie McClurkin.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers Major Byrd Sr. and Hudson L. Byrd Jr. and sister Gloria Yvonne Clarke.

He is survived by his children, Ethel "Darby" Greenhill Rolan; son-in-law Louis Rolan, Denise Byrd Robinson, Dennis L. Byrd and Janie Kaplan; grandchildren, Corey Robinson (Maliya), Austin Greenhill, Justin Robinson, Sydney Greenhill, Lauren Byrd Moody, Jessica Rolan and Jordanne Rolan; great-grandchild Aiden Law; brother Ralph "Jackie" Byrd (Cathy,) sister Joyce Clark (Euna), one aunt Ruby J. Price; In-laws Leon King (Ruth), Calvin King (Dorothy) and Lummie King;  and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Public Viewing will be 10:00am - 6:00pm on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at Peace Funeral Home, 237 Railroad Avenue, Waverly, Virginia.

Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00am Thursday, July 24, 2025, at St. Paul Holiness Church, 8645 John Rolfe Highway, Dendron, Virginia, Elder Welton Blount Sr, Pastor.  Interment will follow immediately at the Church Cemetery.

Please keep the family uplifted in prayer.

Link to watch livestream:

https://facebook.com/events/s/celebrating-the-life-of-leniou/1053217540298458/