FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Phoebe Dawson Ushery October 11, 2020 President and CEO Phone: 404.691.3810 Email: [email protected] PUBLIC VIEWING ANNOUNCED FOR GEORGIA NATIVE, TONY AWARD NOMINEE THOMAS JEFFERSON BYRD [ATLANTA, GEORGIA, August 4, 2020] Phoebe Dawson Ushery, President & CEO of Alfonso Dawson Mortuary, Inc., announced a public viewing will be held Monday, October 12, 2020. The viewing will begin at 10:00 AM and continue until 7:00 PM “We are saddened to hear the news of Mr. Byrd’s untimely passing. We are honored to serve the family of Atlanta’s own, Mr. Thomas Jefferson Byrd,” said Phoebe, the 2nd generation operator of the family owned business. The ceremony will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 11:00 AM. The memorial service is limited to invited guests but can be viewed on-line. (Platform: Zoom - Meeting ID: 850 3645 4820 Passcode: 815190) Byrd who was born south of Atlanta in Griffin, Georgia was a resident of southwest of Atlanta. He received a bachelor's degree from Morris Brown College, and a master's degree from the California Institute of the Arts. He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor, for his performance in the 2003 Broadway revival of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. As a film actor, Byrd has acted in numerous Spike Lee films. Among them: "He Got Game," "Get on the Bus" “Red Hook Summer and "Clockers." "Tom Is My Guy," Lee said. "May We All Wish Condolences And Blessings To His Family. Rest In Peace Brother Byrd." If you have any information, police are urging you to contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. The reward for information leading to an arrest in the shooting death of actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd is $10,000. About Alfonso Dawson Mortuary, Inc. Since 1965, Alfonso Dawson Mortuary, Inc., located at 3000 M.L. King, Jr., Drive, SW, Atlanta, GA has been serving families with care, compassion and love. This community has always been at the heart of the Dawson Family. Today with second generation of Dawson’s at the helm, they are excited to welcome the next generation into the family business. ### .