Marion-Mabel Bird, 90, went to her Heavenly Home in the early morning hours on Friday December 9, 2016.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Wednesday December 21, 2016 at the Blue Funeral Home in Goreville with Pastor Joseph Pike officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon, Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cana Cemetery, Goreville. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, or, Goreville First Baptist Church, Goreville Illinois; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent in care of Blue Funeral Home, P.O Box 411, Goreville, IL, 62939.
Mrs. Bird was born June 8, 1926 in Sparta, IL to Burwell and Eugenia “Estella” Scott. She married Laurence “Kenneth” Bird on April 13, 1945 in Pinckneyville, IL. Together they shared 61 years of marriage until his death on November 21, 2006.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Kenny and Mary Bird of Marion, IL, and their children, along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; brother Alvin “Bud” Scott, Columbus, GA and sister, Nancy Gross, Miamisburg, OH; stepdaughter, Barbara Coaty and, husband, John. She had many nieces and nephews that were very special and dear to her heart with whom she stayed in frequent contact.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Gary Ray Bird and wife Pat; stepson, LaVerne Bird and wife Martha; one great-granddaughter; five sisters - Mary Wittenborn; Agnes Wilson; Reba Ledbetter; Dorothy Guyton; Bertha Cooper, and, an infant brother. She was also preceded in death by a very special sister-in-law, Kathryn Bird, whom she loved.
Mrs. Bird retired from Olin Corporation, Crab Orchard Refuge, in 1988, where she worked in several different capacities. Her favorite occupation, however, was that of wife, grandmommy and great-grandmommy. Her home was Goreville, IL although most recently she took residence in River to River Residence, Marion IL where she made special friends and was treated so kindly by the staff. She was a member of Goreville First Baptist Church, Goreville, IL. She enjoyed reading until her eyesight failed her and also traveling this beautiful country, visiting 49 of the 50 United States. She kept detailed journals of each trip and could recount most of the travels from memory, including lodging and dining locations and frequently what she had enjoyed eating that day. Her home was always open to family and friends.
She will be sadly missed by those who knew her. Fly away, Home, mom. Fly away, Home.
For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit bluefuneralhome.com