James Samuel Byars, age 77, of Knoxville passed away November 16, 2019

He was born March 13, 1942 in McMinnville. He graduated from Dibrell High School in 1960, and from Tennessee Technological University in 1965. He retired after 30 years with Sears management. He was a member of the Living praise Church of God in Monroe, NC where he lived for 33 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Elise Travis Byars; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ed and Ollie Duke.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Brenda Duke Byars; daughter, Lynette (Donald) Fry of South Carolina; and son James “Jim” (Tammy) Byars of Knoxville; six grandchildren, William Coan, Samantha Coan of Monroe, SC, Hunton, Hilton, and Hudson Byars of Knoxville; Holly Byars of Chattanooga; brother in-in-law Dewey (Lois) Duke of Smithville.

A memorial for Mr. Byars will be announced and held at a later date.

Smithville Review