CLIFFORD HARDAWAY BYERS

Clifford Hardaway Byers was born on April 22,1931, in Cleveland, Arkansas to John and Roxie Byers; and was the seventh of eleven children.  While growing up in Arkansas he enjoyed helping out on the family farm.  He enjoyed hunting, riding the tractor, the fresh fruits and vegetables and most of all he enjoyed the family gatherings and picnics. 

He went to Center Elementary School in Cleveland Arkansas.  He moved to Little Rock Arkansas and lived with his cousins the Diggs family where he attended Horace Mann Middle School.  He attended one year of Dunbar High School before he moved to Kansas City, Missouri and lived with his sister Veking Toilette and her family so he could finish high school.  He attended R. T. Coles High School and graduated in 1951.  While in high school he was a Red Cross Representative, he played basketball, baseball, and was a hall monitor.  After high school he went to Tuskegee Institute in Alabama where he earned a Commercial Industries Bachelors of Science degree in Auto-Mechanics and graduated in 1957.  While in college he joined the Army ROTC Perishing Rifles program.  After graduating from Tuskegee, he joined the Army where he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army under President Dwight D. Eisenhower and was released on an honourable discharge. 

After serving in the military, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri and went to work at the United States Postal Service in January 1959.  One day at work one of his co-workers set him up on a blind date.  On this date he met a beautiful young lady by the name of Betty Jean Cloyd.  They fell in love and got married in October 1961.  They were married for more than 54 years until Betty passed away in October 2015.  To this union they had six children.  To support his family, he worked at the United States Post Office as a motor vehicle analyst for 30 years.  He was able to retire early in 1990, and had been retired for more than 30 years.  After retirement from the post office, he worked several part time jobs for Groendyke Trucking, USD 500 driving a school bus, and security guard for Whelan Security for BPU.

After retirement Clifford like to play cards and dominos with family and friends.  His favorite saying was “We got some work to do.” He was a very social and likeable person.  He never met a stranger cause he would talk to everyone.  He also, enjoyed watching the Royals and Chiefs play on television. 

Clifford gave his life to the Lord at an early age and when he moved to Kansas City, Kansas he joined St. Peters CME Methodist Church where he was a devoted member for over 50 years.  He sang in the men’s choir and he help where he was needed.  He provided rides to and from church, he taught Sunday school, and served on the men’s’ board.  He loved listening to gospel music.  Even at the end of his life he still prayed and called upon the Lord for help and asking for mercy. 

Clifford departed this life on May 23, 2024, at home surrounded by family.  He is proceeded in death by his wife Betty J. Byers, parents John and Roxie Byers, daughter Sharon Byers, sisters Veking Toilette, Betty Bundle, Verdie Jenkins, Alice Gause, Lily Isaiah, Joyce Dean, Grace Brown, and brother Joe Byers. His two living sisters are Arnette Deering and Helen Brown.

He leaves behind to cherish his memories his five children, Clifford Byers Jr (Lauryn), Aaron Byers (Yolanda), Dianne Williams (Brett), Teresa Wooten, and Lisa Byers.  Grandchildren Ashley Wooten, David Williams, D’Anthoni Wooten, Jene’ Sherbino (Justin), and Jaden Byers.  Great grandson Jackson Sherbino.  A host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

We celebrate his life and he will forever be in our hearts and deeply missed!

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