John Byrd Roden, 82 years old, received total healing August 27, 2026, from a 25-year battle of cancer and stage 5 Kidney failure. His loving wife, all three sons, and a daughter-in-law, brother, 2 sisters-in-law and brother-in-law by his side. He made a peaceful exit from this life and entered into the arms of his Lord and Saviour

John Byrd Roden was Born in Collinsville, DeKalb County, Alabama on September 22, 1943, to James Arthur and Naomi Docia Speakman Roden. He was the fifth of six children, five brothers and one sister. They lived in Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri and Waleska, Georgia before settling in Forsyth County, Georgia in 1957. He graduated from Forsyth County High School in 1961. John worked as Key Punch Billing Clerk and later Computer Program at Terminal Freight in Atlanta, Georgia for 30 years until it closed. Then he did lawn services and later worked at ESB making Exhibit Show Booths before retiring in 2000. He served his country in the US Army 1964 to 1966 mostly at Fort Benning Georgia. He married Ida Earlene Anderson, February 11, 1966, and they had over 60 1/2 happy years together.

John was an Ordained Deacon and Minster belonging to Pine Crest Baptist Church and former pastor of Etowah Baptist Church in Lumpkin County. He loved his Lord and Loved to talk to people about Him.

Predeceased by his Parents, James A. and Docia Roden; Brothers and Sister-in-law James S. and Mary Roden, Charles Rexford Roden, Sr., Neville Roden; Sister Mary Graclyn Roden Morgan; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law Earl and Julia Anderson, Brother-in-law James Anderson.

Survived by wife Earlene Roden, Sons & daughters-in-law, Eric Glenn and Sheryl Roden, John Christopher ‘Chris’ Roden, David Arthur and Kristin Roden, Grandchildren Kevin and Heather Roden, Craig Roden, Kristyn and Ansley Dunn, Andrew and Lilly Roden, Mikayla Roden; Step-grandchildren with lots of love Stacey and Jimmy Mabry, Joshua and Chelsea Harrington, Laura and Seth Phillips; Nine great Grandchildren Rylea, KJ, and Jackson Roden, Colten, Sawyer, and Bennett Mabry, Emma and Lucy Harrington, Melody Jane Roden; Brother and sisters-in-law Raney and Joan Roden, and Virginia Roden; Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Tom Morgan, Alice and Joe Frady, Dale and Billy Mahaffey; Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and many friends.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Ingram Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the Ingram Funeral Home Chapel, with interment to follow at Sawnee View Memorial Gardens.

Many thanks to Longleaf Hospice Care especially Tech, Kristina and Nurse Diane along with Chaplain Bryant, as well as nurse Shay and Erica for your caring concern and care. And everyone for your prayers, thoughts, cards and visits during this trying time.

Preachers: Rev. Shane Wehunt and Rev. Ricky Waters

Honorary Pallbearers: Deacons & Home Preachers of Pine Crest Baptist Church and surrounding areas.

Pallbearers: Grandsons Kevin Roden, Craig Roden, Ansley Dunn, Jimmy Mabry, Joshua Harrington & Seth Phillips

Song & Singers: 

Raney Roden — “How Great Thou Art” 

Shannon Loudermilk & Susan Waters — “Holy Ground” 

Kayla Hardeman, Blake Evans & Herbert Dodd — “Because He Loves Me” 

Pine Crest Choir — “The Blood That Stained The Old Rugged Cross” & “Amazing Grace”