Threads of Life: Two grandfathers, a great-grandfather and a great-grandmother
In remembrance of James Byrd, Janice Childress, David King and Chuck Majors
You’re reading Threads of Life, a weekly obituaries newsletter that remembers and honors our friends and family members who made an impact on Scott County through the ways they lived their lives. Threads of Life is delivered to you courtesy of Jones & Son and West-Murley Funeral Homes.
James Byrd, 84
Oneida
September 13, 1940 – April 29, 2025
James Byrd, of Oneida, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at Big South Fork Medical Center in Oneida. He was 84.
LIFE
Born in Scott County on Sept. 13, 1940, James was the son of Willard and Della J. Byrd. He was a member of Pine Creek United Baptist Church.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by:
Wife: Willie Leona Garrett Byrd.
Sister: Wilma Griffith and husband Calvin.
Brother: Benny Byrd.
SURVIVORS
Son: David Byrd and wife Renee.
Grandson: Garet Byrd.
Brother: Jerry Byrd and wife Wanda.
Sisters: Bernice Myers and husband James, and Glenna Sue Flowers and husband Richard.
SERVICES
Visitation: Friday, May 2, 2025 from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the chapel of West-Murley Funeral Home in Oneida.
Funeral: To follow at 5 p.m. with Bro. Keith Marcum and Bro. Brady Goad officiating. Music will be provided by Tony Daugherty.
Committal Service: To follow at Mount Helen Cemetery in Jamestown.
Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.
Janice Childress, 83
December 5, 1941 – April 24, 2025
Janice Childress departed this life on Thursday, April 24, 2025. She was 83.
LIFE
Born Dec. 5, 1941, Janice was the daughter of Elvin Phillips and Dorothy Crowley. Our hearts are broken but we know that she has been made new in Christ. She is gone too soon and will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
In addition to her parents, Janice was preceded in death by:
Husband: Lonas Childress.
Sister: Tootsie Williams.
Brothers: Vaughn Phillips, Gaylon Phillips and Golman Phillips.
SURVIVORS
Sons: Trevor Childress and wife Yuming, Scotty Childress and wife Teresa, and Rodney Childress.
Grandchildren: Kathy and Josh Burchfield, Blaine Childress, Mason Childress, Alec Childress, Aren Childress and Brooke Childress.
6 great-grandchildren.
Brother: Darrell Phillips.
SERVICES
Visitation: Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the chapel of Four Oaks Funeral Home in Huntsville.
Funeral: To follow at 1 p.m. with Pastor Wayne Black officiating.
Burial: To follow at Winona Cemetery.
Arrangements by Four Oaks Funeral Home.
Threads of Life is sponsored by Jones & Son Funeral Home and West-Murley Funeral Home: Proudly serving the families of Scott County with care, dignity and trust. Visit jonesandsonfh.net.
David King, 65
Robbins
June 21, 1959 – April 27, 2025
David Earl King, of Robbins, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at his home. He was 65.
LIFE
Born June 21, 1959, David was the son of Junior King and Betty Taylor King.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Linda King.
SURVIVORS
Son: Isaac King.
Daughter: Becky Hughett and husband Jarrod.
Brothers: Kenny King and wife Pam, Rick King and wife Becky, Carl King and John King.
Sisters: Mary King and Ray Smithers, and Barbie Cox and husband Jerry.
Grandchildren: Kyhra, Ali, Jaxie and Drew Hughett.
SERVICES
A private family graveside service will be held Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at Black Creek Crossroads Cemetery with Bro. Jeff Davis officiating.
Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.
Chuck Majors, 62
June 4, 1962 – April 25, 2025
James Clayton “Chuck Majors was received by Christ on Friday, April 25, 2025. He was 62.
LIFE
Born June 4, 1962, Chuck was the son of Joe Majors and Marjorie Davidson. He was a driver for many years for various freight companies.
SURVIVORS
Wife of 20 years: Sandy Majors.
Daughter: Jamie Farrer and husband Chad.
Stepsons: Adam Blevins and wife Tonya, and Mark Blevins and wife Melanie.
Grandchildren: Dylun, Devun, and David Delanna Cooksey; Brandon, Kaleb, Noah and Cameron Blevins; and Haylie and Mason Blevins.
5 great-grandchildren.
Special nephew: James Ezell.
Special friend: Kevin Hankins.
Sisters-in-law: June Young, Kathy Baliles and husband Harvey, and Dee Dee Frogge and husband Willis.
Brothers-in-law: Michael Carroll and wife Elizabeth, and Randy Sexton and wife Shirley.
SERVICES
Visitation: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. in Halls Chapel at Mynatt Funeral Home in Knoxville, Tenn.
Funeral: To follow at 7 p.m. with Rev. Michael Carroll officiating.
Graveside Service: Thursday, May 1, 2025 at Black Creek Crossroads Cemetery in Robbins.
Local arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.
Jones & Son Funeral Home and West-Murley Funeral Home are proud to serve the families of Scott County with care, dignity and trust. (Sponsor.)
A FEW WORDS ABOUT THREADS OF LIFE
Obituaries are one of the most important sections of any community news publication. They’re more than notifications that a member of the community has passed; they’re life stories, and that’s why we call them Threads of Life. They’re the stories of who the person was and the impact they had on their community. We encourage you to share details about the life your loved one lived, even if it wasn’t part of the original obituary published by the attending funeral home. If there are a few words and details you’d like to share, please do so before Threads of Life is published (each Wednesday) by emailing newsroom@ihoneida.com.
The Independent Herald does not charge to publish obituaries, a policy that dates back to the newspaper’s founding in 1976. Obituaries are edited to match the format you see here, for the sake of readability and uniformity.
The Independent Herald has served as the Voice of Scott County and Big South Fork Country since 1976. We publish newsletters several times each week and e-editions twice weekly. We encourage you to subscribe. You can choose the newsletter(s) you wish to receive in your email. Click the link below to subscribe, or to update your existing subscription: