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Subject: Obits From the Oak Ridger 13 Oct 2005
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 15:33:01 EDT


From the Oak Ridger 13 Oct 2005

Billy Joe "B.J." Byrd, of Claxton,
Howard L. "Mac" McCracken, of Oak Ridge,
Virginia Ann Neal Lee, 66, of Oak Ridge,

Billy Joe "B.J." Byrd, of Claxton, passed away Oct. 11, 2005, at Methodist
Medical Center of Oak Ridge. He was a member of Edgemoor Baptist Church in
Claxton. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict; he landed at
Normandy on June 6, 1944. B.J. was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Archie
and Willie Byrd; sisters, Geneva and Beatrice; brothers, Rexford and Haggard;
and son, Robert "Bobby" Rush. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Lola
Byrd; daughters and sons-in-law, Vivian and Marvin Steele and Suzy and Terry
Beard; grandchildren, Megan and Pete Davis, Lauren Morris, Madison Steele, and
Kailen Steele; special nephew, Tim Byrd; several nieces, grandnieces, nephews, and
grandnephews. B.J. had many special friends including caregivers at Oak Ridge
Dialysis Center, Methodist Medical Center third west, and Dr. Gary Wells. He
retired from K-25 in 1985. During retirement, he enjoyed traveling, serving as
a dispatcher at Claxton Volunteer Fire Department, and was a member of
Optimist Club of Claxton. He served as the food pantry coordinator, worked with
young boys as a church ministry, and served as a deacon and taught Sunday school
for many years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Edgemoor Baptist
Church Building Fund, or the National Kidney Foundation. Family will receive
friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at Edgemoor Baptist Church with the
funeral service to follow at 7 p.m. The graveside service with military honors
will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, at Woodhaven Cemetery in Claxton. Tim Byrd, Paul
Conaway, Peter Davis, Terry Beard, Marvin Steele, Kailen Steele, Jeff Morris,
and Harry Gorrell will be pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the
Outreach Sunday school class members, and Rocky Collins, Matt Davis, J.B. Kennedy and
Harry Young. Woodhaven Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens is in charge of
arrangements.

Howard L. "Mac" McCracken, a longtime resident of Oak Ridge, died Oct. 10,
2005, at the LifeCare Center of Centerville, Tenn. He was born Sept. 25, 1919,
in New York and raised in Venice, Fla. After graduating from the University of
Florida, he worked briefly in Langley, Va., and Denver, Colo., before settling
in Oak Ridge in 1947. He remained in Oak Ridge for the next 50 years with his
wife Lois, who preceded him in death. Mr. McCracken worked for the National
Advisory Committee for Aeronautics from 1943-1946 and the Bureau of Reclamation
Engineering Division from 1946-1947. In 1947 he moved to Oak Ridge, leading
to a position with the Atomic Energy Commission/DOE. He began his career as a
structural engineer and then went on to become Assistant Chief of Design
Coordination Branch; Chief, Design Analysis Branch; Deputy Director, Engineering
Division; and Director, Design Division until his retirement in January of 1980.
He is survived by children, Gayle McCracken Drummond (James) of Pasco, Wash.,
Steve McCracken (Debbie) of Oak Ridge, and Debbie McCracken Starnes (Dan) of
Nashville; grandchildren include Brian Pritchard of Brooklyn, N.Y., Brad
Pritchard of Carlsbad, Calif., Brook McCracken and Andrew McCoy, son Thane of
Dayton, Ohio; Sarah McCracken of Springfield, Mo.; Erin, Joey, Patrick, and Ryan
Starnes, all of Nashville. Also survived by sister-in-law, Shirley Alford of
Venedy, Ill. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005, at
Oak Ridge Memorial Park for family and close friends. A memorial service is
scheduled for Saturday evening at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church at 7 p.m. with a
Celebration of Life Reception to follow the service. Memorials may be made to
The Alzheimer's Association, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, or the charity of
your choice. Weatherford Mortuary is handling the arrangements. An on-line
guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.

Virginia Ann Neal Lee, 66, of Oak Ridge, died this morning, Thursday, Oct.
13, 2005, at her home. Weatherford Mortuary is handling the arrangements, which
were incomplete at press time.

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