Euple Byrd: How Did Tammy Wynette’s First Husband Die?

Showtime’s ‘George and Tammy’ delves into the tumultuous relationship of country music icons George Jones and Tammy Wynette. The film unfolds with their initial encounter, a pivotal moment as both had already experienced two marriages each. Their profound connection leads them to leave their current spouses to pursue a relationship.

However, as their love story progresses, past issues resurface, adding complexity to their already turbulent lives. The film explores the aftermath of Tammy’s second marriage to Don Chapel, posing a threat to her relationship with George. Notably, the narrative lacks substantial information about her first husband, leaving viewers curious about his identity and what transpired in their relationship. Let’s explore and uncover the details surrounding Tammy Wynette’s first husband and the events that unfolded in their union.

Who was Euple Byrd?

Born in 1937 in Itawamba County, Mississippi, Euple Byrd was Tammy Wynette’s first husband. With a five-year age difference, they married in 1960 when Tammy was just 17 years old and had left school. Tammy’s initial romantic interest had been in Euple’s elder brother, but circumstances led her to marry Euple instead.

Euple worked as a construction worker, and the early years of their relationship were marked by financial hardship. During Tammy’s first pregnancy, the couple lived in extremely challenging conditions, residing in what could be described as a shack without heat or electricity. Euple’s difficulty in maintaining a steady job exacerbated their financial struggles.

Despite the hardships, Tammy took on multiple jobs to support the family. During this period, she also enrolled in beauty school with assistance from her mother, obtaining a beautician’s license that she reportedly renewed until the last year of her life. Despite some financial stability, personal differences strained the marriage, leading to Wynette’s eventual nervous breakdown. Hospitalized and undergoing electroshock treatments while pregnant with her third child, she subsequently moved to Birmingham with her children.

In Birmingham, Tammy explored singing as a potential career, bringing a glimmer of hope. Attempting to reconcile, Tammy and Euple gave their marriage one final chance in 1965. Despite their efforts, the reconciliation was unsuccessful, leading to their official separation.

Biography

Euple Byrd, born on February 16, 1937, in Itawamba County, Mississippi, USA, was the son of Allen Levy Byrd (1911–1982) and Audra Lee Ferguson (1912-2000). The Byrd family resided on a farm along State Line Road in Beat 4, Itawamba County, Mississippi.

At the age of 21, Euple married Virginia Wynette Pugh, also known as Tammy Wynette, aged 16, in April 1960 in Itawamba. They had three daughters together: Gwendolyn Lee Byrd, Jackie Daly Byrd Daly, and Tina Denise Byrd.

Euple worked as an itinerant casual carpenter and construction worker. The early years of their marriage were marked by financial struggles, with Virginia taking on various jobs, including hairdressing, to support the family. However, during her pregnancy with Tina, Virginia moved with the children to Birmingham, Alabama. After their marriage ended in a divorce in 1965, Virginia went on to become the renowned Country Music singer Tammy Wynette, often hailed as the “First Lady of Country Music.”

Euple Byrd tragically passed away on November 30, 1996, in a traffic accident on Interstate 59 in Jefferson County, Alabama. The pickup he was driving was struck by an out-of-control car hydroplaning on the wet roadway. He was 59 years old at the time of his death and was laid to rest in Hillcrest Masonic Cemetery in Fulton, Itawamba County, Mississippi.

Early Life

Euple Byrd, born on February 16, 1937, in Itawamba County, Mississippi, USA, was the son of Allen Levy Byrd (1911–1982) and Audra Lee Ferguson (1912-2000). Raised on a farm along State Line Road in Beat 4, Itawamba County, Mississippi, Euple experienced the challenges and simplicity of rural life.

At the age of 21, Euple married Virginia Wynette Pugh, known as Tammy Wynette, who was 16 years old, in April 1960 in Itawamba. The couple embarked on a journey that faced financial hardships, as Euple worked as an itinerant casual carpenter and construction worker. The early years of their marriage were marked by financial struggles, leading to a challenging living situation while Tammy was pregnant with their first child.

Despite the difficulties, Tammy, formerly a hairdresser, took on various jobs to support the family. The couple’s union faced personal differences, resulting in Tammy’s eventual nervous breakdown. Hospitalized and undergoing electroshock treatments during her pregnancy with the third child, Tammy made the decision to move with her children to Birmingham, Alabama, marking the end of their marriage.

The separation did not deter Tammy’s pursuit of a singing career, eventually making her a renowned Country Music singer. Euple Byrd, facing skepticism about Tammy’s aspirations, played a part in Tammy’s legendary journey, dismissing her dreams of becoming a singer with the phrase “dream on.” Later in life, Euple passed away in a tragic car crash on November 30, 1996, at the age of 59, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with Tammy Wynette’s rise to stardom.

Career of Euple Byrd

Euple Byrd’s career was primarily centered around construction work, as he worked as an itinerant casual carpenter and construction worker. His employment history was marked by challenges in maintaining steady and long-term employment, contributing to financial struggles in the early years of his marriage to Tammy Wynette.

Despite facing difficulties, Euple continued working in the construction field. His career path, however, took a different trajectory compared to the later musical endeavors of his former wife, Tammy. Euple’s career choices and experiences in the construction industry were relatively low-profile compared to the significant achievements and fame that Tammy achieved in the country music scene.

Euple’s dedication to his work as a construction worker reflected the economic challenges and realities of his time, providing for his family amidst financial hardships. While the details of his career beyond this period are relatively scarce, Euple’s contributions and efforts as a working individual underscore the resilience required during times of economic adversity.

How did Euple Byrd Die?

According to Find a Grave, Euple Byrd passed away at the age of 59 on November 30, 1996, and it is believed that he died in a car crash. His final resting place is at the Hillcrest Masonic Cemetery in Fulton, Itawamba County, Mississippi. Details about Euple’s life after his divorce from Tammy Wynette are relatively scarce. It remains unconfirmed whether he remarried or had additional children beyond the three he had with Tammy.

In his later years, Euple reportedly made efforts to reconnect with his daughters, although the extent of his relationship with Tammy during this period is not well-documented. It is suggested that Euple had been skeptical, at best, about Tammy’s aspirations of becoming a singer. According to a notable part of Tammy Wynette’s legend, he dismissed her ambitions, telling her to “dream on” when she shared her plan to pursue a career as a country singer. Years later, he attended one of her concerts seeking an autograph, and she signed it with the poignant words “dream on.”

Facts 

• Early Life and Family Background:
  • Euple Byrd was born on February 16, 1937, in Itawamba County, Mississippi, USA.
  • He was the son of Allen Levy Byrd (1911–1982) and Audra Lee Ferguson (1912-2000).
  • The Byrd family resided on a farm along State Line Road in Beat 4, Itawamba County.
• Marriage to Tammy Wynette:
  • Euple married Virginia Wynette Pugh, known as Tammy Wynette, in April 1960 when he was 21 and she was 16.
  • They faced financial hardships in the early years of their marriage as Euple worked as an itinerant casual carpenter and construction worker.
• Challenges and Financial Struggles:
  • During Tammy’s first pregnancy, the couple lived in challenging conditions described as a shack, lacking heat or electricity.
  • Euple’s difficulty in maintaining steady employment exacerbated their financial struggles.
• Tammy’s Contribution to Financial Stability:
  • Tammy, previously a hairdresser, took on multiple jobs to provide for the family during their financial difficulties.
  • She also enrolled in beauty school and obtained a beautician’s license, which she reportedly renewed until the last year of her life.
• Separation and Tammy’s Pursuit of Music Career:
  • The couple officially separated in 1965, and Tammy moved to Birmingham, Alabama, with their children.
  • Tammy’s pursuit of a singing career began in Birmingham, marking the start of her journey to becoming a renowned Country Music singer.
• Skepticism and Later Reconnection:
  • Euple was reportedly skeptical of Tammy’s aspirations to become a singer.
  • In later years, Euple made efforts to reconnect with his daughters, though the extent of his relationship with Tammy during this period is not well-documented.

Summary

Euple Byrd, born in 1937 in Itawamba County, Mississippi, played a pivotal role in the life of renowned Country Music singer Tammy Wynette. Marrying at a young age, their union faced financial hardships, marked by Euple’s work as a construction worker and challenges in maintaining steady employment. Tammy, facing difficult living conditions during her first pregnancy, took on various jobs and pursued a beautician’s license to support the family.

The couple officially separated in 1965, leading to Tammy’s move to Birmingham, Alabama, with their children. Despite the difficulties, Tammy embarked on a singing career, marking the beginning of her journey to become the “First Lady of Country Music.” Euple, initially skeptical of Tammy’s aspirations, later attempted to reconnect with his daughters.

Euple Byrd met a tragic end in a car crash on November 30, 1996, at the age of 59. His skepticism about Tammy’s dreams became a part of her legendary story, symbolized by the phrase “dream on.” Euple’s legacy remains intertwined with Tammy Wynette’s rise to stardom, reflecting the challenges, personal struggles, and resilience faced by the couple during their early years.

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