THOMAS “TOMMIE” MARK BYRD was born Friday, July 22, 1955, in Columbus, Ohio, to Willie and Ina Mae Byrd who was from Crawfordville, Georgia. On Thursday, January 25, 2018, Thomas “Tommie” was called to rest. Tommie was a 1973 graduate of Columbus East High School. To further his education, he studied Hotel Hospitality Management at the University of Cincinnati. He was a certified Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America. Tommie received his certification in Diet and Nutrition from Columbus State Community College. Tommie had over 35 years’ experience serving and catering in some of the finest restaurants in Columbus, Ohio. Tommie knew no strangers; he was a friend to all. He loved people and he loved to entertain. To know Tommie was to love him. Tommie was preceded in death by his father, Willie Albert Byrd; his uncle, Delmond Smith; and his nieces, Roxie Turner; and his cousin, Cassandra Smith. Tommie leaves behind to cherish his memories his mother, Ina Mae Byrd; his sisters, Emma Byrd, Willie Ruth Byrd Parks, Trudy Byrd Brown, and Pamela (Jimmie) Turner; and his brothers, Terry (Crystal) Byrd and Phillip Byrd. He also leaves behind his nieces and nephews, Toya Parks, Malisa (Mike) Fullen, Shirlene Brown, Brandy (Rick) Davis, Kevin (Paulette) Smith, Devon Jones, Jimmie (Jasmine) Turner, Summer (Dre) Lomax, Curtis Harrison, Elaina Turner, Bruce Wiggins, Andraya Byrd, Justin Turner, and Loreal Byrd; a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins, other family members, and friends; including his beloved friend/brother, Kevin Wilds. He leaves his final words of love . . . “YOU ARE MY FRIENDS.”