On Saturday afternoon, Pastor Elijah Byrd of the Open Arms Pentecostal Church went on a ride with a parishioner and his wife on their bikes. They rode out on a winding stretch of Joplin Road in Quantico.

Continue reading

Family members said the kick stand of Byrd;s modified Harley hit the pavement as he tried to negotiate a wide turn. He was thrown from the bike, struc a tree and died.

Those who knew him said that to call him a free spirit would have been an understatement.

“He wears the long hair and long coats he had a dress code when he did music and he sounded a bit like Willie Nelson and everybody loved him,” said John Byrd, his brother.

His death comes as a huge loss to his followers, his family and his community.

“Had a big soul to match that heart,” said Penny Marsingill.