PORT GIBSON — Otis James Byrd died at his home in Claiborne County. He was 54.

He was born July 29, 1960, in Claiborne County. He graduated from Port Gibson High School and was a laborer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Jessie Mae Byrd-Shorter.

Survivors include his father and stepmother, Willie Shorter Sr. and Jannie Shorter of Port Gibson; six brothers, Leon Shorter, Devel Shorter, Ronnie Byrd and Billy Ray Byrd, all of Port Gibson, Stanley Shorter of New York and Devel Shorter of Virginia; 13 sisters, Florene Hodge of Madison, Reather Byrd, Brenda McGill and Geraldine Byrd, all of Port Gibson, Judy Shorter and Audrey Shorter, both of New York, Shelia Williams and Tammy Holmes, both of Natchez, and Tracy, Joychat, Keona, Tomeka and Briondrea Wilson-Shorter, all of Port Gibson; three uncles; five aunts; and other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2015, at Mount Burner Baptist Church with the Rev. Ray Coleman officiating and under the direction of Rollins Funeral Home of Port Gibson.