Mr. Joseph Brown Byrd Jr., age 68, of Buchanan passed away early Monday morning, June 4, 2012 of a heart attack outside of his home while doing yard work. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mrs. Johnnie Wilson Byrd, oldest son Joseph Richard Byrd and his wife Lynn, his only daughter, Bonnie Jean Rayburn and her husband Ricky Rayburn and his youngest son, Joseph Brown Byrd III and his wife Joanie. Grandchildren include Richard Lee Byrd, Holly Roper, Dylan Byrd, Brittney Byrd, Hannah Rayburn and Rachel Rayburn.

Joe had four brothers, Bill Byrd, Harrison Byrd, Richard Byrd, Charles Byrd and one sister, Betty Byrd Colangeli.

Joe was born in Atlanta on March 29, 1944 to Ruth Belle Byrd. His mother died of leukemia when he was 12 years old and he and his siblings were placed into the care of Preacher Williams of the Jolly Home Orphanage in Conyers, Georgia. He met his wife Johnnie in 1962, they married at Park Avenue Baptist Church in Atlanta on June 14, 1963. Joe''s career was a long-time truck driver receiving many awards for "million miler" accomplishments and other acknowledgements during his career. He drove for Arrow Shirt Co. for most of his career and retired from Consolidated Freightways out of Ellenwood, Georgia. Joe has written more than 200 gospel songs and has shared his music, testimony and love for the Lord to thousands of people over the years during his travels while on the road. He always had his guitar with him and always had a song, story or joke to tell. He was a very talented man who loved spending time with his family a