Randal Earl Loyed

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Mr. Randal Earl Loyed, 77, died Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the Veteran’s Home in Oxford, MS. The funeral will be Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 12:00 noon in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Petermann and Rev. Blain Davis officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 3, 2024, from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at Waller Funeral Home, and again on Thursday beginning at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow the service in Delay Cemetery.

Mr. Loyed was born on June 5, 1946, in Leeds, AL, to the late Maggie Mae Burns and Robert Earl Loyed. He proudly answered the call to serve his country, bravely serving in the United States Navy in the Dominican Republic. When he returned home, he began working in Construction, perfecting his craft over the years and becoming a superintendent, but in his heart he remained a solider. The camaraderie and brotherhood he found amongst his fellow members inspired his lifelong commitment to the VFW. Mr. Loyed served as Commander of the VFW Oxford Post for 5 years, and the State District Commander for 3 years. During this time, he established the Veteran’s Memorial Park in Oxford and was instrumental in dedicating the Lafayette County Purple Heart Memorial Highway. It was deeply important to Mr. Loyed that those who gave their lives for their countries never be forgotten, and that those who came home had resources and support available to them.

Mr. Loyed and his family were devout members of Delay Baptist Church. In his free time, he appreciated long days spent fishing on the lake, and quiet afternoons in his woodworking shop. He collected antique objects to use in his painting projects, with an eye for picking out rusty saws and skillets from piles of scrap that he would clean and bring back to life with beautiful landscapes and country scenes. He relished in the small and meticulous details of woodworking and painting, working carefully until he was satisfied with the result. Mr. Loyed was a devoted and loving husband to his wife, Nancy, together raising three children and experiencing the joy of becoming grandparents. They shared a love for travel, taking annual trips, which they would split between Nancy’s desired sunny and beachy locations, and Mr. Loyed’s preferred cool, mountain retreats. They finally agreed on a favorite location when they took a tour of the 13 colonies, where they created many beloved memories. Though, they never stayed gone long, hurrying back after each trip to share their stories with their children and shower the grandkids in souvenirs. In addition to his parents, Mr. Loyed was preceded in death by his dear wife, Nancy Loyed.

He is survived by his two daughters, Kimberly “Kim” Morgan of Oxford, MS and Lesley Phillips and her husband, John, of Oxford, MS; son, Andrew Byrd of Oxford, MS; sisters, Renae Johnson of Water Valley, MS and Mary “Midge” Britt of Oxford, MS; brother, Robert “Skip” Loyed; six grandchildren, Lauren, Jon-Jon, Makayla, J.T., Kaytlyn, and Alex; and two great-grandchildren, Mason and Olivia.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mr. Loyed’s memory may be made to Delay Cemetery Fund, c/o Jim Hodge, 1171 Highway 334, Oxford, MS 38655.

In honor of Mr. Loyed’s service, the flag of The United States Navy will be flown at Waller Funeral Home.