Ja'Marcus Omar Byrd

Ja'Marcus Omar Byrd (J'Byrd) passed away peacefully on June 2, 2023, after a progressive battle with Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA), Type 2. He was 27 years old.

He was born on July 13, 1995, in Waxahachie, Texas.

He loved the Dallas Cowboys, baseball, basketball and fishing.

Ja'Marcus loved God and gave his life to God. He was baptized at The Avenue Church.

Although SCA prevented him from ever working, he would be the first to tell you that he loved his job. He served as a door greeter at The Avenue Church and found great joy visiting with everyone that entered through his door. During the sermon, he'd listen diligently, he'd laughed at the pastor's jokes (as long as they weren't about the Cowboys) and you could expect a discussion on the car drive home about the sermon. He loved his church.

He never met a stranger. If you wanted to give him the best gift possible, it was the gift of time. His smile would light up a room when anyone came to visit or stopped by to say hello. The small gesture of a phone call was just as special. He cherished every conversation, every joke and every memory.

Family meant everything to him. In fact, he loved his family almost as much as he loved his mamma's sweet potato pie. He loved fried fish, BBQ, pizza and spaghetti, but he also loved meat loaf, macaroni and cheese, Twinkies and Reese's. He did love food; however, his true passion (other than the Cowboys) was his large, blended family. He loved them all and it showed.

Ja'Marcus accomplished so much more than what SCA revealed. His character and personality radically changed the lives of many. He lived courageously, and without fear. He expressed gratitude as he fought through each day. He never complained and lived like he had plenty. He never stopped worshipping God. He smiled through his disease when others wanted to cry. He held on to hope when others lost it.

He kicked fear in the face daily and smiled doing it!

His life had a profound effect on everyone that met him.

Ja'Marcus is survived by a beautiful, blended family. His mother, Renee Jones, his stepfather Troy Jones, and his father Marcus Byrd; his sister Destiny Williams, his stepsister Ciara Dotie, and his brother Colton Jones; his grandparents Cisco and Tennie Johnson, and JoeAnn Foster; his step grandparents Suzi Thomas, and Allen and Carolyn Jones, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Preceded in death by his grandfather Jesse Byrd.

There are not enough words to express how thankful we are for your sympathy and kindness in our time of sorrow. The support and comfort you provided will always be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the National Ataxia Foundation, in his name, to help find a cure.
Ataxia.org