It was a great day on June 3rd, 1980 in Monmouth County, the small town of Long Branch, New Jersey to be exact, that Mary Ann Byrd and Jimmie Lee Philips welcomed their Screaming bouncing baby boy into the world. They decided to name their precious gift, Takinda Raymon Byrd.
Takinda, affectionately known as "T.K." was the eldest of three children. He graduated from Long Branch middle school and continued his education with Booker T High School in Miami, Florida. TK exceeded the expectations of all, showing his Intelligence through communication.
During TK's early adulthood, he took the opportunity to work as a Maintenance Engineer for The Renaissance in Ocean, New Jersey. While living life to the fullest, you would always find TK being a "True King" and taking care of his beautiful children. Anyone who knew him, understood that family was important, and his children was his first priority.
TK was very humble, he was truly an angel on earth, he always helped anyone in need, from a child his mother taught him not to look down on people, no matter what their situation was, and to always share, whether it be food, clothes, money, it didn't matter, it was a true fact that TK was never selfish. In his spare time, Takinda loved to read, he knew the bible from front to back, he loved anything dealing with science, the earth and medical history. But his most creative expression in this life was his Music, oh and lets not forget he loved video games. In his spare time you would find him at the beach flipping in the sand, or spending time with his seven children.
On April 30th 2019 Takinda Raymon Byrd heard the master say, "Well Done Thy Good & Faithful Servant, Peace Be Thine." He crossed the finish line of his life, and transitioned from earthly labor to his peaceful reward. He was greeted at the golden gates of heaven by his maternal grandparents Emma Mae Byrd-Roberts & Jacob McDonald, aunts Dorothy Ann B Shirley Ann Bryd and Janie Mae Wiliford, paternal grandmother Sarah Jane Philips and cousin Joseph Marshall Jr.
Those left to cherish his memories and bid the finest farewell are his children Jomia, Kaitlyn, Mary, Emma & Destiny; loving mother Mary Ann Byrd-Cheatum (Eddie Cheatum); one sister Tekesha Craft; one brother TaVonte Byrd-Craft; nieces Tanayshia Chatmon and Zanayshia Shaw as well as a host of other extended relatives & friends.
The ultimate explanation from God’s word in the Bible as to why we die can be found at Genesis 3:17-19 and Romans 5:12. Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal. My heart goes out with deepest sympathy to the Byrd family. At times like this it can be hard to lose people we care about, but just know that God sees death as the enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). He has resurrected people in the past. The Bible mentions nine instances of ones who were resurrected. One of them that can give us comfort is found at John 11:39-44. God is the creator of life Psalms 3 6:9 so he is capable of restoring life to our loved ones so please take comfort that you will see your loved one again.