Robert J. "Bob" Birdsong

Funeral services Robert J. (Bob) Birdsong, 97, of Lufkin, will be held Friday, April 5, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Chestnut Drive Baptist Church in Lufkin with Reverend Blackie Cranford officiating. Graveside services will follow at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the Hayes Grace Memorial Park Cemetery in Hitchcock, Texas with Reverend Rick Smith officiating.

Mr. Birdsong was born May 26, 1915 in Galveston, Texas to the late Nettie (Hancock) and Gabriel Birdsong. He died Tuesday, April 2, 2013 in a Rusk nursing facility.

Mr. Birdsong grew up in Galveston and lived there for more than 40 years. He worked for the Earl Logan Mobil Oil Company as a bookkeeper. He taught health classes at the YMCA in Galveston and officiated high school and college basketball games. Mr. Birdsong was a veteran and had been a Mason for more than 50 years. He had dual memberships in the Chestnut Drive Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church of Ponta.

Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Stuart C. and Nancy J. Birdsong of Alvin, Randall A. and Sue Zane Birdsong of Rusk, and James Birdsong of Dallas; three grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and numerous step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, and step great-great grandchildren.

Mr. Birdsong was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ena Lillian (Aldridge) Birdsong; grandson, Adam Birdsong; and daughter-in-law, Verlene Birdsong.

Pallbearers will be Bill Milam, Bubba Milam, Ted Aaron, Carroll Spradlin, Jimmy Carnes and Cameron McClendon.

Honorary pallbearer is Jonathan Mooney.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors