Jerry Carlton Bird, age 86, of Tupelo, Mississippi, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Traceway Retirement Community after a brief illness. Jerry was born on December 12, 1939, in Statesboro, Georgia, to Charlie and Bernice Bird. He was a 1959 graduate of Marvin Pittman High School and a 1980 graduate of Midlands Tech in Columbia, South Carolina. Jerry served in the Army Reserves in 1958 and worked for Rockwell Mfg., Emerson Mfg., Marta Transit in Atlanta, and Delta Airlines. Following his retirement in 2002, Jerry moved to Milton, Florida, where he married the love of his life, Janell LaPrade Bird. They were married for 24 years. Jerry was known for being friendly to everyone and could carry on a conversation on any topic. He loved his family at Traceway Retirement Community and was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman who enjoyed cooking fried fish with a slice of tomatoes. He was also a member of Kenansville Baptist Church in Kenansville, Florida. Jerry is survived by his wife, Janell; his daughter, Lisa M. Bird of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; his sister-in-law, Paula Bird of Statesboro, Georgia; and several nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his sisters Jeannette Bird Deal and Billy Faye Bird, and his brothers Andrew J. Bird, Jimmy Bird, James Franklin Bird, Edward C. Bird, and Walter A. Bird.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, September 3rd at 10:00 AM at Middleground Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Statesboro, Ga.