Brett Michael Birdwell

Notes:

The Sabine County Reporter
October 7, 2009, Page 15

Brett Michael Birdwell

Brett Michael Birdwell, 45, was born to Norman and Joan Birdwell in Alexandria, LA, on Feb. 11, 1964. He entered into rest in Longview on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009.

Birdwell served several years in the U.S. Air Force. After returning home, he went to work as an air conditioning technician.

Survivors: mother, Joan Birdwell of San Augustine; daughters, Megan Birdwell and Amber Birdwell, both of Dallas; sisters, Diane Birdwell of Dallas and Linda Thomson of San Augustine; brothers, Bruce Birdwell of Houston and Barry Birdwell of San Antonio.

He was preceded in death by his father, Norman Birdwell.

Funeral services were Saturday, Oct. 3 at Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel in San Augustine, with Dr. Sam Wayman officiating. Burial followed in Chinquapin Cemetery.

Services were under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, October 2009)

A similiar obituary appeared in the October 8, 2009 issue of the San Augustine Tribune.

Notes:

The Sabine County Reporter
November 20, 1996, Page 12
Back In Time
Twenty Five Years Ago 1971

Norman Birdwell, a retired Air Force Major and jet fighter pilot announced his intention to file as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for U. S. Congressman, District II.

San Augustine Tribune
18 Nov 2004

Excerpts from the obituary of Norman Theophles Birdwell, born in San Augustine County to the late Florence HARDY and Enlow BIRDWELL on 8 March 1928. He died 14 November 2004, also in San Augustine. He joined the Army Air Corp in January 1946, and after serving in the Aleutians Islands and Europe, he attended OCS and became a pilot and flight instructor. He served in England and as Base Operations Officer at Tan Son Nhut AFB in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star. He was also awarded the Airman's Medal for rescuing a family from drowning after a car accident. He retired to East Texas in 1968.

Survivors: sons, Bruce (Diane) of Dallas, Barry (J.J.) San Antonio, Brett of Henderson; daughters Diane of Dallas, Linda (Mrs. Rae THOMSON) of San Augustine; Sisters Bertha Mae McMURRAY of San Augustine; Ruby MURPHY of Willow, Alaska; Margie Nell (Edward) HILDABRANT of Orangefield, Blanche (Gail) NEAL of Dallas; brothers Kennon (Pauline), Winfred (Vivian) and Carl (Helen) all of San Augustine.

Preceded in death by his wife, Mildred, parents, sisters Mattie Lou BREAUX, and Audrey DRAWHORN, and brother Steven.

Norman married Joan Arlene Weiss before 1951 in Mississippi. Joan was born on 21 May 1930 in White Plains, Westchester County, New York; died on 31 Jul 2018. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Joan Birdwell Bailey was my Mom, and I pray my words do her justice. Mom was summoned by the Lord on July 31, 2018. The only child of Lola and Frederick Weiss, she was born on May 21, 1930 in White Plains, New York. She joined the USAF and in 1949, while working as an air traffic controller at Keesler AFB in Mississippi, she met, fell in love with, and married a dashing young airman named Norman Birdwell of San Augustine.

They had four children together in a 14-year period. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lola and Frederick Weiss, her son, Brett Michael Birdwell, and Norman Birdwell. She is survived by a daughter, Linda Birdwell Thomson of San Augustine, two sons, Bruce Frederick Birdwell (wife Jacque) of Houston, and Barry Norman Birdwell of San Antonio, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Mom remained the glue that held the family together as she oversaw the numerous moves from one location to another as the military assigned dad where he was needed. Biloxi, Alamagordo, Tucson, Laredo, Bryan, Waco, New York, the United Kingdom, and Alexandria all come to mind. A bunch of sometimes rowdy children and numerous pets packed into a car for hours bring back fond memories.

Mom had to perform as both parents while dad spent a year in Vietnam. Only as I matured did I comprehend just how difficult that was for her. No one could have done better or with more class. Mom encouraged, inspired, guided, disciplined, tutored, bandaged, and consoled us. She loved animals, was kind, giving, and demonstrated compassion to those less fortunate. Mom passed those traits to her children. While her children were the joy of her life, she was truly the joy and inspiration of ours.

Even when she worked on what was at that time the largest off-shore submersible oil rig in the world ("New Era"), everyone on the rig referred to her as "Mom". That alone speaks volumes.

So, Mom, although I cannot see you now, I will see you again on the other side.

We love and miss you Mom, Bruce

At her request, a intimate quiet memorial service will be held.

Notes:

Was not listed with his mother and stepfather, Joseph Thomas Fuller, at the time of the 1910 Sabine County census.

Name: Enlow Cornelius Birdwell
Death Date: 07 Nov 1974
Death Place: Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, Texas
Gender: Male
Race:
Death Age: 72 years
Estimated Birth Date: 1902
Birth Date:
Birthplace:
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Bernice Birdwell
Father's Name: Norman Thadius Birdwell
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Blanche Henley
Mother's Birthplace:
Informant: Bernice Birdwell (Wife)
Occupation: Lumberman
Place of Residence:
Cemetery:
Burial Place:
Burial Date:
Additional Relatives:
Film Number: 2243404
Digital Film Number: 4167742
Image Number: 2358
Reference Number: 84187
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976


(Medical):See attached sources.

Enlow married Florence Lucinda Hardy on 14 Jan 1918 in San Augustine County, Texas. Florence was born on 18 Oct 1895 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; died on 2 Apr 1990 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in Chinquapin Cemetery (Loggins Family Burial Ground), Macune, San Augustine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her tombstone is inscribed "Florence Birdwell Oct 18, 1895-Apr 2, 1990 She had few possessions but no wants. Loved by everyone."

Her FindAGrave memorial page links her to her parents, Theophilus Persinger Hardy (1865-1947) and Mary Lou Dickerson (1875-1915).

Notes:

Married:
Marriage information from

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txsanaug/marriages/Bibens-Bryley.pdf

Said to be recorded in the San Augustine County, Texas Marriage Book 5, Page 351

Notes:

Dolores Burton shows "Norman E. (Thaduis) Birdwell was the ninth child of James Birdwell and NANCY Cogburn. He was born Aug. 07, 1881 in Sabine County Texas." Jame's wife is listed on census and other records as Mary, however, and not Nancy.

David Pike writes that Norman died of pneumonia after complications from severe burns received in a fire.

Norman married Blanche Henley on 14 Nov 1900 in San Augustine County, Texas. Blanche was born on 16 Aug 1881 in Texas; died on 28 May 1914 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Rosevine Cemetery, Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was married first to a Birdwell, and was later the second wife of Joseph Fuller. They had two children together, and sadly Blanche died of tuberculosis some five years after her second marriage. Her stepsons, Price and Brooks, died of this as well. Her step-daughter, Ethel was also infected, and was confined to a tuberculosis santitarium in the Dallas area as a young woman. Ethel survived, however, living into her eighties.

Notes:

Married:
Marriage information from

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txsanaug/marriages/Bibens-Bryley.pdf

Said to be recorded in the San Augustine County, Texas Marriage Book 3, Page 286


From: dolores burton [mailto:supersix6@yahoo.com] Sent:Tuesday, May 08, 2001 7:59 AM To:Melinda Strong Subject:Blanch Birdwell

Miss Strong; I must apologize for jumping too fast. Blanch Birdwell is in my data. Her first husband was Norman E.(Thaduis)Birdwell. The ninth child of James Birdwell and Nancy Cogburn. He was born Aug. 07, 1881 in Sabine County Texas. He died Jan. 28, 1907, in Sabine or possibley San Augustine Co. Texas. Her name was Blanch Henley B: Aug. 16, 1881, and D: May 28, 1914. Their children were Enlow Cornelius B: Jan. 06, 1902, D: Nov. 7, 1974 Oscar, D: Nov. 15.1980.I hope this help's. And that it is correct for you. Let me know if I can be of further help. Dolores Burton.