The Reverend Ralph Milledge Byrd, Jr, of Metarie, La., died on Sunday, June 3, at East Jefferson General Hospital at the age of 74. He was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 28, 1938, the son of the late Ralph Milledge Byrd, Sr. and Elise Cart Byrd. He married Elizabeth Boykin on June 24, 1972. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Byrd, his daughters Elizabeth Brignac of Cary, North Carolina, and Caroline Christman of Durham, North Carolina, his mother Elise Robertston, his brother Arthur Jenkins, his sister Joye Trott all of Charleston, South Carolina, and grandchildren Joseph and Charles Brignac and Catherine Christman. He graduated from The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina, in 1960. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1963 and a Doctor of Ministry from the University of the South School of Theology, Sewanee, Tennessee in 1987. He taught and served as an administrator at St. Martin’s Episcopal School, Metairie, from 1981 to 1987. He served as rector of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Metairie, from 1991 to 2005 and was the priest-in-charge at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Harvey from 2007 until his death. An accomplished musician, he also had a lifelong love of the theater. He was devoted to God, his family, and his friends and he loved to tell a good story and share in laughter. Although he knew the location of the true Holy City, he loved the city of New Orleans, in all its character, beauty, rich history, and irreverence. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Metairie, on Saturday, June 9 at 11:00 a.m. with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Metairie or to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Harvey. There will be a memorial service on June 16th in Charleston, SC at Grace Episcopal Church at 10 AM. Tags: 1960
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