Joan Arlene Weiss

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.

Joan married Norman Theophilus Birdwell before 1951 in Mississippi. Norman (son of Enlow Cornelius Birdwell and Florence Lucinda Hardy) was born on 8 Mar 1928 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 14 Nov 2004 in San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in Chinquapin Cemetery (Loggins Family Burial Ground), Macune, San Augustine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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.