Obituaries:  Martha Tipton Bird, Sabine Parish       B-630
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Mar 24, 1993
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net


**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************

Martha Tipton Bird (Photo)

  Funeral services for Mrs. Martha Tipton Bird were held at the
First United Methodist Church of Many, on Monday, March 22, at 2
p.m., with the Rev. John Koelemay officiating. Burial followed in
the Many Cemetery, under the direction of the Warren Meadows
Funeral Home. Pallbearers were John Byrd, I. D. Bostian, W. A.
Williams, Robert Ammons, Larry Skinner, and Shelly Wiggins.

  Survivors include her son, Stuart Bird and his wife Sharon of
Carthage, Tex.; a brother, Noel and his wife Betty of Eastham,
Mass., Ginger, and Holly Bird of Many, Kyle Bird, and Tracy Terry
of Carthage, Tex.; several nieces and nephews; and many dear
friends.

  Mrs. Bird died at her residence on Saturday, March 20, following
a lengthy illness. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in October,
1991, and valiantly battled the disease until her death. In
January, 1993, she retired from her position as Payroll Clerk at
the Sabine Parish School Board's Central Office. She had been
employed there since early 1985.

  Her final days were happy ones, spent with her family, and
visiting with grandchildren. Her only child, Stuart, principal of
Carthage (Tex.) High School, had spent Wednesday, Thursday, and
Friday with her, while judging the LMEA District Band Contest at
Northwestern State University. He had returned to his home Friday
night, only hours prior to his mother's untimely death.

  Born Martha Elizabeth Tipton in Hamburg, Arkansas, on Sept. 20,
1928, she was the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Noel M. Tipton.
She and her brother, Noel, were raised in Bastrop, and the
Springhill, where she was an active Girl Scout, and member of the
4-H.

  Following graduation from Springhill High School in 1945, she
attended Louisiana Tech University, where she began majoring in
Secretarial Science. Marriage interrupted her college days, and
she moved with her husband and child to New Iberia, then
Shreveport. While in Shreveport, she became employed as Billing
Clerk at Haverty's Furniture, and was promoted to secretary to
the Manager.

  The break-up of her marriage sent her first to Bastrop, and then
to Many, where her parents were residing. She became employed by
A. J. Hodges in the Field Office, handling the detail work for
his timber company, and for Hodges Gardens. In 1966, the office
moved to Florien, and she remained with the Gardens until the
late 1970's, when she joined Fraser Hospital as Insurance Clerk.
In the 1980's, she worked for John Byrd, and spent five years at
Piggly Wiggly as Office Manager, before joining the School Board.

  Although she thrived on her work, she devoted many hours to her
son and his activities throughout his childhood. She was the
first Den Mother for Cub Scout Pack 31, and traveled extensively
with the MHS Band, serving as Chaperone Chairman, and Secretary
and Treasurer of the Band Parents Club.

  Her greatest joy was seeing her son's musical career develop
through MHS, and at Northwestern State University. Bird led the
MHS Band to some of its greatest musical achievements here in the
late 1970's. Her most recent proud moment was when Bird was
inducted into the NSU Music Hall of Fame last year.

  Much of her time, in years past, and recently, was dedicated to
work at the First United Methodist Church. She served as Director
of a highly successful Lay Witness Mission locally in 1971, and
connected with the youth as a Sunday school teacher, and Director
of the Methodist Youth Fellowship. Her kind heart, and
sympathetic ear listened to many teens over the years, She opened
her home to teachers with no place to live, and to youth
directors seeking a summer home, while working in the community.
She also sang in the choir, and served on almost every committee
in the church. This year, she was a member of the Worship
Committee.

  Civically, she was a member of the now defunct Many Business and
Professional Women's Club, having served as president. She was
also elected District VII Director. She was on the Advisory Board
of the Sabine Valley Vocational Technical School, and had served
as Publicity Chairman of the Sabine Association of Mental Health.
She was also a member of the Many Pilot Club, and the Many
Lioness Club.

  Spare time was spent with friends in Bible studies, and share
groups, gardening, fishing, and selling Avon.

  Her love of people and of life made her a truly beautiful lady,
who had dedicated much of her life to others. The impact she made
on Scouting, and in her church, will always be remembered by
those whose lives she touched.

  Memorials in her honor may be made to the First United Methodist
Church, 1000 Main Street, Many, La. 71449.