Mrs. Beatrice "Bea" Hammer Byrd 71, beloved wife of 54 years to Vernon Byrd, entered into rest Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at home surrounded by her loved ones. Bea was born in Augusta, GA to the late Arnold and Josie Lee Hammer. She was a kind and loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother and will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 3, 2017 from the Chapel of Thomas L. King Funeral Home with Pastor Ray Reynolds officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Jimmy Vowell, Scott Wittke, DeWayne Wingate, Ken Widener, Robert Blackston, and Wade Thompkins. In addition to her parents, Bea was also preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Eubanks. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Byrd is also survived by a daughter, Elayne Vowell (Jimmy) of Grovetown, GA, a son, Jason Byrd of Augusta, GA; a sister, Joyce Wingate of Augusta, GA; 3 granddaughters, Amber Chastain, Tayler Shiver, and Summer Miller; an adopted granddaughter, Wendy Dalber; a grandson, JR Byrd; 6 great grandchildren and 2 very special caregivers; Kimberly Wageman and Beth Kennedy. Thomas L. King Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 124 Davis Rd., Martinez, GA 30907 (706) 863-6747 kingfh.com~~The Augusta Chronicle - February 3, 2017