The Rev. Earl Thomas Byers, 81, of Green Creek, North Carolina, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 at his home, surrounded by his family.

The Rev. Byers was born in Amherst, Virginia, to the late William and Nettie Stinnett Byers.

The Rev. Byers served as a pastor for over 40 years. He first served as the pastor of Oronoco Church of the Brethren in Vesuvius, Virginia, before moving to the Chase, North Carolina, area in 1987.  He then served as pastor at Melvin Hill Church of the Brethren for 25 years until his retirement in 2012.

He was an avid Yankee baseball fan and enjoyed working in his tomato garden.

Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Margaret Tomlin Byers; a daughter, Lisa Cash (Chip) of Green Creek; two grandchildren, Lucas Cash (Sydney) and Ellese Cash; and four great-grandchildren, Carter, Jaxon, Charleigh and Kennedy.

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at Melvin Hill Church of the Brethren in Green Creek, with the Rev. Craig Scruggs officiating.

The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Melvin Hill Church of the Brethren, 555 Melvin Hill Road, Columbus, NC 28722.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory,

Tryon