On February 10, 2008, Elder HOWARD B. SR., age 67 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Born in Chicago, IL, he was the son of the late Benjamin A. and Minnie G. Byrd. He was a member of the First Tabernacle in Baltimore where he served as cantor, missionary, and elder. He retired as a Supervisor of the Sanitation Department with the Department of Education. He is survivedby his wife, Hilda O.; five children, Howard B. Jr. of CA., Philip of IL., Blanche S. Jordan of CA., Ivey R. Taylor of IL. and DeAnna L. Byrd of MD; four stepchildren, Eunice Johnson, Jerilynn Reid, both of MD., Samuel "Sonny" Reid of GA., and Luther Washington of GA.; goddaughter, Laurie Coates of MD, a niece he raised as a daughter, Tonie M. Byrd of VA.; sister, Diana Byrd of IL.; brother-in-law Daniel Gordy of MD.; two sisters-in-law, Martha (Howard) Collins of MD. and Eunice Byrd of IL; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Friends may call the Lewis N. Watson Funeral Home, 1618 West Road, Salisbury on Thursday from 11am to 12 pm., and the family owned WYLIE FUNERAL HOME P.A OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, 9200 Liberty Road, Randallstown, from 6-8 pm on Thursday. Services Friday at First Tabernacle, 1606 Ashland Avenue, 9:00am Wake, 10:00am Funeral. Interment Druid Ridge Cemetery, 7900 Park Heights Avenue, Pikesville. Visit www.lewiswatsonfuneralhom.com to offer condolences.