Mr. Edward Denard Byers, 43 of 4260 Brownsboro Rd. Apt. B-25, known to many by "Ed" and to his family as "Poochie" passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

He was born March 26, 1964 in Winston-Salem, NC to Amos Byers, Jr. and Ella Mae Byers.

He was a member of Rising Ebenezer Baptist Church where he attended all of his life.

Mr. Byers was a 1983 graduate of Parkland High School and a 1988 alumnus of Winston-Salem State University. During his athletic career, Ed received a full scholarship for football at WSSU under former coach Bill Hayes. After college, he tried out for the NFL Cincinnati Bengals. He was inducted into Parkland High School Sports Hall of Fame for excellence in football, where his jersey "No. 44" was retired. He was named All-American and played in state play-offs and championships.

Ed was currently employed with Guilford County Scales Learning Center, Greensboro, NC and with WTB New Vision as a resident counselor. During his career, he was an Assistant Coach for the Greensboro Prowlers Semi-Professional Football Team, Assistant Coach at West Forsyth High School-football, WSSU Summer Camp-Football Director, Coach for Little League Football, various teacher assistants for the WS/FCS School System, Douglas Battery, and Sara Lee Textiles.

He was preceded in death by his father; and two brothers, Ozzie Johnson and Maurice Byers.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Robin Wilborn Byers of Winston-Salem, NC; three sons, Shelton Davis, Sr., Monterio Davis, and Juwaan Woodbury all of Winston-Salem, NC; two grandsons, Shelton Davis, Jr. and Jaiheem Davis; five step-children; two sisters, Gwendolyn Byers and Aretha Byers both of Winston-Salem, NC; three brothers, Rodney (Stacy) Byers, Sr., Vernon (Esthelita) Byers, and Tony Ray Crosby all of Winston-Salem, NC; one uncle, Earl (Patricia) Byers of Winston-Salem, NC; one great-uncle, George Smith of Gaffney, SC; an aunt, Wilhemenia Byers of Winston-Salem, NC; two special friends, Darnella "Dee" McIntyre and Ernest Tanner both of Winston-Salem, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Thursday, March 20, 2008 from the New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend William Brown of Rising Ebenezer Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from Noon until 1pm on Thursday at the Church.

A special thank you to all the coaches Ed served under and those he served with.