Notes:

Obituary:

Mary Rebecca Birdwell Durham went to be with her Lord on Tuesday morning, May 28, 2002, at Willis Knighton North Hospital, Shreveport, following a sudden illness. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 31, at 10 a.m. at Heritage Baptist Church, 2801 Creswell Avenue, Shreveport. Officiating will be Reverend William W. Ascol, pastor of Heritage Baptist Church, assisted by Reverend R. F. Gates, Jr., associate pastor and Reverend Paul Haines. Interment will follow at Centuries Memorial Cemetery, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport. Visitation will be at Centuries Funeral Home on Thursday, May 30 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and at Heritage Baptist Church on Friday, May 31 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Becky was born March 22, 1955, at Schumpert Hospital in Shreveport, the daughter of John Roland Birdwell and Martha Helen Birdwell. She graduated from Captain Shreve High School in 1973 and from Baylor University in 1977 with a degree in elementary education. She taught at Curtis Elementary School, Bossier City, for six years. She was a loving mother who devoted the past eleven years of her life to homeschooling her children. As a dear, loving wife she was her husband's best friend. She will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

Becky was a lifetime resident of Shreveport and a mernber of Heritage Baptist Church. Her life was characterized by her love for the Lord, the study of His Word and her service to Him in the children's ministries of the church, especially the nursery.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her loving husband of 20 years, James Michael Durham and her children, Martha Helen Durham and James Michael Durham, Jr. of Shreveport; her brother, John Roland Birdwell, Jr., Prescott, AZ; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lucile Zea Durham and James Malcolm Durham, Shreveport; one nephew, John Roland Birdwell, III, Seagoville, TX; and three nieces, Tara Birdwell and Rebecca Thomas, Seagoville, TX and Sheenna Birdwell, USAF, OK.

Pallbearers will be Timothy Burnham, Alvin Gore, Dr. Timothy Nicholls, Howard Prince, Scott Schober and Walter D. White.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to Dr. Timothy Nicholls and the emergency room staff of Willis Knighton North.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Becky's memory to Heritage Baptist Church, 2801 Creswell Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71104.

Centuries Funeral Home
318-686-4334

(Published in The Shreveport Times on May 31, 2002)

Mary — J.M. Durham. [Group Sheet]

1. M.H. Durham
2. J.M. Durham, Jr.

Notes:

Obituary:

SHREVEPORT, LA - John Roland Birdwell was born January 22, 1924 and entered his heavenly home Sunday evening, April 29, 1990 at his home in Shreveport, Louisiana. Services will be held at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 2, 1990 at 10:30 a.m. He was born in Bossier Parish, attended Bossier High School and was a member of the 1942 Undefeated Championship Football Team. During World War II he served in the United States Navy later graduating from Texas Tech, where he also played football. Following graduation he taught mathematics and coached at Plain Dealing High and subsequently went to work for Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation. He was Supervisor of the Measurement Department from which he retired with 37 years service. He served on the Executive Committee of the International School of Hydrocarbon Measurement for many years and was Chairman of the General Committee of the Southwestern Gas Measurement Short Course in 1968.

Mr. Birdwell served his Lord as Good Samaritan and Friend of Man all the days of his life. Cheerful and energetic he raised a son and a daughter and after the death of their Mother, Martha Breecheen Birdwell, he gave lovingly to his present wife, Sylvia J. Birdwell and five step children. Preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Russell Birdwell, and also by one step-grandchild, Jena Mari Pearson.

Carrying on his unique Birdwell tradition will be one son, John Roland Birdwell, Jr., his wife Terry and their four children, Rebecca, Sheenna, Johnny and Tara Birdwell; daughter, Mary Rebecca Birdwell Durham and her husband Jimmy and their two children, Martha Helen and James Michael. Loving and grateful step-children, Jack H. Steele and his wife Danette and son Beau Jacques; Laura S. Smith and her husband Gary and their son, Joseph Lane and daughter Samara Ja'nel; TMC George R. Steele on submarine duty with the U.S. Navy; Dawn Mari' S. Pearson and her husband Ken and their two daughters Jeri Michelle and Cheryl Elise; and Angelia S. McGirr and her husband Jonathan and their daughter Meaghan Rose; one sister, Gwendolyn Jeffery and her husband Charles R. and a host of nieces and nephews.

Enriched by his life were many, many friends and classmates including his doctor, Richard K. Barnett who attended him for many years with great facility and friendship.

Honoring their friend as pallbearers are Joe Alexander, Buddy Dalrymple, Billy Davidson, John Ivan Falkner, Joe Maggio, and Jack Lewis. Honorary pallbearers are the 1942 Bossier High School Undefeated Championship Football Team and Dr. Richard K. Barnett.

(Published in The Shreveport Journal on May 2, 1990)

John married Martha Helen Brecheen 18 Jul 1947, Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas, USA. Martha was born 6 Dec 1927, Cisco, Eastland County, Texas, USA; died 25 Oct 1965, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, USA; was buried 27 Oct 1965, Centuries Memorial Park - Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Obituary:

Mrs. M. Birdwell Dies at Age 37; Rites Tomorrow

Mrs. Martha Brecheen Birdwell, 37, of 4753 Dixie Garden Rd., died at 6:50 p.m. yesterday at Schumpert Hospital after a brief illness.

She was a member of the Broadmoor Baptist Church and of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Xi Zeta Chapter. She was a native of Cisco, Tex.

She is survived by her husband, John R. Birdwell Sr.. one son, John R. Birdwell Jr. and one daughter, Miss Rebecca Birdwell, all of Shreveport; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Brecheen of Cisco: three brothers, William Brecheen of Snyder, Tex., J. H Brecheen of Wichita Falls, Tex., Joel M. Brecheen of Elgin, Ariz.; one sister, Mrs. Fred Stroop Jr. of New Orleans, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow at Osborn Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Scott Tatum, pastor of the Broadmoor Baptist Church, officiating. Burial arrangements will be announced later by Osborn Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Pat L Miller, Oscar C. LaBorde, Ted J. Griffen, Jack H. Cunningham, Joe M. Alexander, R. K. Barnes.

(Published in The Shreveport Journal on October 26, 1965)

Notes:

Obituary:

Final Rites Today For W. R. Birdwell

Funeral services for Warrie R. Birdwell, 56, of 425 Monroe St., Bossier City, a dispatcher for the Arkansas Louisiana Gas Co., who died at 6 p.m. Saturday in a local hospital after a brief illness, were held at 2 p.m. today at the First Baptist Church in Bossier City.

Dr. W. L. Sewell, pastor of the church, assisted by the Rev. M. R. Perkins, pastor of the Northside Baptist Church in Bossier City, conducted the rites. Interment was in the Red River Cemetery near Benton under direction of Wellman's Funeral Home.

Active pallbearers were Robert H Johnston Sr., William P. McInnis, J. C. Fullilove, J. D. Fenton, Charles H. Ray and Sam Keeth.

Honorary pallbearers were employes of the Arkansas Louisiana Gas Co., Arkansas Fuel Oil Corp., Arkansas Pipeline Corp., and members of the Four Square Bible Class of Bossier City.

Mr. Birdwell is survived by his widow, Mrs. Gladys Bumgardner Birdwell; two daughters, Mrs. Gwen Jeffrey, Washington, D.C., and Mrs. Carolyn Sholte, Big Spring, Tex.; two sons, John R. Birdwell, Shreveport, and Warrie R. Birdwell Jr., Mission, Tex.; his mother, Mrs. Louise Jeter Birdwell, Bossier City; two sisters, Sister Mary Fidelis of Marksville and Mrs. W. M. White, Dallas, Tex.; three brothers, J. N. Birdwell, Bossier City, T. M. Birdwell, New Orleans and M. J. Birdwell, Haynesville, and nine grandchildren.

Mr. Birdwell was a lifelong resident of Bossier Parish and was employed as a dispatcher for the Arkansas Louisiana Gas Co. at the time of his death. He had been with the company for 27 years. He was a member of the Northside Baptist Church of Bossier City, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans.

(Published in The Shreveport Journal on April 22, 1957)

Obituary:

W. R. Birdwell Succumbs to Brief Illness

Warrie R. Birdwell, 56, of 425 Monroe St., Bossier City, died at 6 P.M. yesterday in a local hospital after a short illness.

A lifelong resident of Bossier Parish, he was employed as a dispatcher for the Arkansas Louisiana Gas Co. at the time of his death. He had been with that company for 27 years.

Mr. Birdwell was a member of the Northside Baptist Church in Bossier City, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the disabled American Veterans.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Gladys Bumgardner Birdwell; two daughters, Mrs. Gwen Jeffrey, Washington, D.C., and Mrs. Carolyn Sholte, Big Springs, Tex.; two sons, John R. Birdwell, Shreveport and Warrie R. Birdwell Jr., Mission Tex., his mother, Mrs. Louise Jeter Birdwell, Bossier City; two sisters, Sister Mary Fidelis, Marksville, and Mrs. W. M. White, Dallas, Tex.; three brothers, J. N. Birdwell, Bossier City, T. M. Birdwell, New Orleans, and M. J. Birdwell, Haynesville; and nine grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements, which are being handled by Wellman's Funeral Home, are incomplete pending arrival of relatives.

(Published in The Shreveport Journal on April 21, 1957)

Warrie — Lillian Gladys Bumgardner. Lillian (daughter of Louis Roland Bumgardner and Lamantha Caroline Holley) was born 17 Feb 1899, Benton, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, USA; died 26 Jun 1971, Bossier City, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, USA; was buried 29 Jun 1971, Lay Cemetery - Benton, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Obituary:

Mrs. Gladys B. Birdwell, 71, of 425 Monroe St. in Bossier City died at 6:15 p.m. Saturday at Heritage Manor Nursing Home after a long illness.

A lifelong resident of Bossier Parish, Mrs. Birdwell was a native of Benton. She was a member of the Airline Baptist Church.

Survivors include two sons, W. Russell Birdwell of Mission, Tex., and John R. Birdwell of Shreveport; two daughters Mrs. Carolyn Sholte of Bossier City and Mrs. Gwendolyn Jeffrey of Fairborn, Ohio; two sisters, Mrs. W. F. Dalrymple of Benton and Mrs. Claudia Boylston of Houston, Tex., and one brother, Harry Bumgardner of McDade.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Bossier City Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at the Lay Cemetery near Benton.

(Published in The Shreveport Times on June 28, 1971)

Notes:

Obituary:

It is with keen regret that your correspondent reports the death of a good neighbor, Mr. L. R. Bumgardner, who, following a lingering illness, passed away at his home here last Saturday.

Mr. Bumgardner was born in Talladega, Ala., November 18, 1860, and during 1869 was brought to Bossier Parish by his parents. He continued to reside in the parish up to the time of his death. He was a member of the board of directors of the Bank of Benton for a number of years and a member of the Bossier Parish School Board for more than ten years, and up to the time of his death. He was a devoted Christian gentleman, a member of the Baptist Church, ever ready to assist the needy, and a kindly and considerate husband, father and friend. He was married to Lamantha Carolina Holly on April 2, 1885, and to this union nine children were born, seven of whom survive him.

A short service, conducted by Rev. J. M. Hickson, a long-time friend, and Rev. R. L. Holmes, pastor of Ardis Memorial Baptist Church, was held at the family residence at 1:30 p.m. Sunday and the remains were then taken to Linton Baptist Church, near his old home, and the service completed at four p.m., with interment in Linton Cemetery.

Decedent is survived by the widow, one brother, Mr. W. R. Bumgardner, of Ida; four sons, Mr. Ernest Bumgardner, of Homer, and Messrs. Robert, Gordon and Harry Bumgardner, of Bossier City; three daughters, Mrs. W. F. Dalrymple, of Midway; Mrs. W. R. Birdwell, of Linton, and Mrs. W. H. Boylston, of Grand Bayou, and six grandchildren, all of whom were at the beside when the end came.

Those named to serve as active pallbearers were Messrs. N. W. Sentell, A. M. Teague, J. E. Williams, Henry Matthews, V. V. Whittington and Jim Pilkinton. Those named as honorary pallbearers: Members of the Parish School Board and the board of directors of the Bank of Benton.

A large number of friends accompanied the remains to the old church, where still others gathered to pay their last respects to their departed friend and associate. The great number of beautiful flowers spoke of the esteem and lvoe of the friends in words that cannot be expressed. The members o the family are appreciative of the many kindnesses and messages shown and received.

(Published in The Bossier Banner on June 20, 1929)



Obituary:

L. R. Bumgardner Called By Death

Lewis Roland Bumgardner, one of Bossier's most prominent men, a bank director and a former member of the Parish School Board passed quietly away at his home in Bossier City last Saturday morning at 8:05 o'clock.

Mr. Bumgardner was born in Talladega, Alabama, just a short while before the Civil War started. In 1869 his parents moved to Bossier Parish and he has resided in this parish since that time. On April 2, 1885 he was married to Lamantha Caroline Holly. He was a devoted christian, a member of the Baptist church and was already ready to lend assistance wherever needed, a good husband, beloved father and a true friend.

Besides his wife, Mrs. Lamantha Caroline Bumgardner, the deceased is survived by four sons, Robert, Gordan and Harry, of Bossier City, and Ernest of Homer, La.; three daughters, Mrs. W. R. Birdwell, of Linton; Mrs. W. H. Boylston, of Grand Bayou, La.; Mrs. W. F. Dalrymple, of Midway, and six grandchildren, who were all at the bedside when the end came.

Funeral services were held at the family residence on Thompson Street at 1:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon. After the services here the remains were taken to the Linton Baptist Church for the completion of the services at 4 p.m. and the interment in the Linton Cemetery.

Rev. J. M. Hickson, a life long friend of the deceased, conducted the services, ably assited by the pastor of the Ardis Memorial Church of Bossier City, Rev. R. L. Holmes.

Active pallbearers were Roland Grounds, J. E. Williams, Henry Mathews, V. V. Whittington, A. H. Montgomery and Jim Pilkington.

Honorary pallbearers were the members of the Bossier Parish School Bard: Dr. C. H. Irion, N. W. Sentell, Dr. C. M. Tucker, G. B. Smith, C. Hudson and Jack P. Fullilove, and the directors of the Benton Bank.

(Published in The Bossier City Planters Press on June 22, 1929)

Louis married Lamantha Caroline Holley 28 Mar 1885, Benton, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, USA. Lamantha (daughter of Nathan Holley and Martha E.) was born Oct 1863, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, USA; died 19 May 1935, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, USA; was buried 20 May 1935, Lay Cemetery - Benton, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Obituary:

AGED WOMAN DIED HERE LAST SUNDAY

Last rites for Mrs. Lamantha C. Bumgardner, 71, of 600 Thompson Street, who died at her home last Sunday, were held at four o'clock Monday afternoon at the Linton church, near Benton, with Rev. W. L. Stagg, local Baptist pastor, officiating. Interment was in the Linton cemetery, under the direction of the Wellman funeral home.

Pallbearers were T. R. Miller, A. M. Teague, Lonnie Houston, J. E. Pilkinton, V. V. Whittington, A. L. Andreola, Tom Hickman and W. M. McCall.

Mrs. Bumgardner was married in 1885 to the late Lewis Roland Bumgardner, well known planter. She was the daughter of the late Nathan and Martha Holley.

The deceased is survived by nine children, who are: Ernest R. Bumgardner of Homer, Mrs. W. F. Dalrymple of Benton, Robert L. Bumgardner of Benton, Mrs. W. R. Birdwell, Mrs. W. H. Boylston, L. G. Bumgardner and Harry Bumgardner, all of Bossier City. One sister, Mrs. Fannie Smith, of Cotton Valley, and a brother, M. H. Holley, of this place, also surive.

(Published in The Bossier City Planters Press on May 23, 1935)

Obituary:

FUNERAL FOR AGED BOSSIER WOMAN TODAY

Mrs. L. C. Bumgardner, Widow of Prominent Citizen, Dies Sunday

Funeral services for Mrs. Lamantha C. Bumgardner, 71, of 600 Thompson street Bossier City, La., will be held at the Linton church near Benton, La., at 4 p.m. Monday, with the Rev. W. L. Stagg, jr., pastor of the Ardis Memorial church, officiating. Interment in the Linton Cemetery will be under the direction of the Wellman Funeral home.

Mrs. Bumgardner was the daughter of the late Natan and Martha Holley. in 1885 she was married to the late Lewis Roland Bumgardner, prominent planter.

Nine children survive. They are: Ernest R. Bumgardner, Homer, La.; Mrs. W. F. Dalrymple, Benton, La.; Robt. L. Bumgardner, Benton, La.; Mrs. W. R. Birdwell, Bossier City, La.; Mrs. W. H. Boylston, Bossier City, La., and Harry Bumgardner, Bossier City, La.

Pallbearers will be: T. R. Miller, A. M. Teague, Lonnie Houston, J. E. Pilkinton, V. V. Whittington, A. L. Arendola, Tom Hickman, W. M. McCall.

The deceased is also survived by one brother M. H. Holley of Bossier City, La., and one sister Mrs. Fannie Smith of Cotton Valley, La.

(Published in The Shreveport Times on May 20, 1935)