Simon P Byous, Jr.
November 21, 1930 - May 13, 2022
Simon Peter Byous, Jr. was born November 21, 1930, in Bolivar County, Cleveland, Mississippi, to the parentage of Rev. Simon Peter Byous, Sr., and Effie Clifton Byous. Simon was next to the youngest of six other siblings, who all proceeded him in death. During Simon's early childhood years the Byous family migrated from Mississippi to St. Joseph, Louisiana, Tensas Parish.
Simon was reared by Loving, Strong, God-fearing parents who instilled the word of God into their children. Embracing this concept, Simon accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Personal Savior and united with the Pilgrim Baptist Church in St. Joseph, Louisiana. Simon also received his formal education at Tensas Parish Training School (Rosenwald High School) in St. Joseph, Louisiana.
In 1951 Simon enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two years. He served in the Korean Conflict in Okinawa, Japan, subsequently receiving an Honorable Discharge upon separation in 1953. He then moved to Los Angeles, California.
After moving to Los Angeles, California, Simon was united in Holy Matrimony to his sweetheart, Delores Diggs, who preceded him in death. To this union seven children were born; four boys, Gerald Byous, Keith Byous, Kim Byous, and Dewayne Byous, Sr.; and three girls, Linda Elise Byous Perkins, Charey Byous, and Rosslyn Byous. Simon was a diligent worker doing his best to provide for his family.
Later, Simon married Cleopatra Harper and was instrumental in the rearing of four other children; two boys, Levester Lewis and the Late Lafayette La Dean Harper; and two girls, Chrysanthemum Lewis and Yolanda Hawkins Shelton. Simon embraced his new family with a loving heart. He was a good husband and father. He worked many jobs to ensure that he could adequately provide for his family. Simon was a good family man, and as it says in Genesis 9:7 "Be fruitful and multiply". Simon certainly took it to heart because the size of the family did increase. Now during the course of this marriage, Simon received information about a daughter he had from his younger years spent in St. Joseph, Louisiana. He was very blessed to connect with her after many years. Her name is Elaynne Washington. Elaynne and her dad Simon established an unbreakable bond of love for each other and cohesiveness. Elaynne was readily engrafted into the Byous family and introduced to her other siblings. She was welcomed with warm hearts full of love for her. Once again the family mutlipiles.
It has been said, "The Third Time Is The Charm". Well after the death of Cleopatra Harper Byous, Simon continued to move forth and he caught the eye of a younger, vibrant, hard-working, loveable, Christian woman by the name of Teresa Reed. After a season of dating, Simon found himself at the altar again. Yes, he married a third time to Teresa Reed, and he received her two sons with open arms, Dalanza Reed and Jawan Reed. He effectively communicated with them giving them sound advice and words of wisdom. Although Dalanza and Jawan were both grown men, he respected and encouraged them. They love and adore Simon because they felt his love for them and they realized he was there for them if need be. Genesis 9:7 "Be fruitful and multiply", Simon really took it literally, here again, he multiplied the family.
My husband Simon, whom I call Boo, was a wonderful husband, loving, kind, respectful, enjoyable, supportive, giving, and a Godly man. Boo not only took Genesis 9:7 literally but he also exemplifies the scripture in Ephesians 5:25-33. I thank God for blessing me with a husband that uplifted me, encouraged me, a protector and defender, and I am proud to be his wife. Simon united with First Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California, where I was already a member, because he loves God and believes in the unity and wholeness of family. Simon was faithful to the ministry and loved his pastor and the membership explicitly.
Simon retired from Los Angeles city after 33 years of outstanding service and he also retired from Los Angeles County after 20 years of remarkable service. After retiring from both jobs, Simon could not sit still, so he worked part-time with the Compton Meals on Wheels program for several years. He loved keeping busy and enjoyed meeting and helping people.
In 2017 Boo and I, (Teresa) both being retired relocated to Monticello, Arkansas, where we could live our lives free from the hustle and bustle of the city, the noise of the city, and definitely the traffic in the city. We wanted to enjoy the quiet, peace, and tranquility that the small town of Monticello, provided. God blessed us to achieve our goal by being here in Monticello a few years before Simon (Boo) made his transition from this earthly life on May 13, 2022, going on from Labor to reward. Naturally, our hearts are filled with sorrow, and the tears will flow when our loved ones are taken from us, but we should still our grief long enough to think of what this Homegoing means today. 91 years, 6 months, and 8 days of toils, and burden bearing were exchanged a few days ago for the repose of Heaven. "Cares all past, home at last... Heaven to Rejoice."
Having departed from his earthly tabernacle, he leaves to cherish his memories; his loving wife, Teresa Reed-Byous; thirteen children, Gerald Byous, Linda Elise Byous Perkins (Art), Keith Byous, Kim Byous (Sonya), Charey Byous, Dewayne Byous, Sr. (Johnnie), Rosslyn Byous, Elaynne Washington (Gary), Levester Lewis, Chrysanthemum Lewis, Yolanda Hawkins Shelton (Lawerence), Dalanza Reed, and Jawan Reed; sixteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren four brothers-in-law; seven sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Morning Star Baptist Church, in Monticello, Arkansas. Visitation will be Friday, May 20, 2022, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel, in Monticello, Arkansas. Burial will follow the funeral services in Oakland Cemetery, in Monticello, Arkansas.
Please sign Mr. Simon's guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.
Obituary Provided By:
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello, AR 71655
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