Paul McKibben Byars

Mr. Paul McKibben Byars, 84, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital North MS in Oxford. The funeral service will be Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Brother Jamie Moore officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 1:00 P.M. A private burial will follow in North Oxford Baptist Church Cemetery.

Paul was born and raised in Houston, MS and resided in Oxford, MS since October 2009.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Erma Collums Byars and his infant son, Kelly Byars.

He is survived by his son, Andy Byars (Shawn) of Madison, MS; his daughter, Sherry Steen (Scott) of Water Valley, MS; his son, Brad Byars of Oxford, MS; his grandchildren, Hannah (Charles), Hunter (Christian), Kaitlin (Chris) and Shiloh; his great grandchildren, Alyssa, Landon, Charles IV, Ryker and Julian and his faithful companion, Prissy.

In addition to his wife and son, Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben and Polly Byars and his brothers, Gene and Forest Byars.

Paul was a member of North Oxford Baptist Church since 2009 and taught Sunday School since he was 22 years old. He was a 1959 graduate of Houston, MS High School and attended Hinds Community College (1960-1961) and The University of Southern Mississippi where he received his BS in 1963 before receiving his Masters in Education from Mississippi State University in 1969.

Paul taught school in Natchez, MS from 1962-1964. After teaching, his career spanned as follows: Walker MFG Company in Aberdeen, MS (1964-1969), Burris Industries in Prairie, MS (1969-1972), Oldberg Manufacturing in Dyersburg, TN (1972), Sheller Globe Corporation in Kosciusko, MS (1972-1974), Holmes Community College (1974-1998), Logosol, Incorporated and Minitube Incorporated in Madison, MS (1998-2007) before retiring in 2008.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mr. Byars memory may be made to North Oxford Baptist Church or the cemetery fund, P.O. Box 1700, Oxford, MS 38655.