Wilma Bird

STAUNTON, VA Wilma "Ruth" Bird, 89, of Staunton, passed away Sunday, March 23, 2014 at Augusta Health. She was born July 1, 1924 in Clawson, WV a daughter of the late Reed Calvin and Flora (Perry) Johnson. A 1943 graduate of Monterey High School, Mrs. Bird was a homemaker and had retired from C & P Telephone Company. She was a member of St. James United Methodist Church in Churchville, the Blanche Gilbert Bible Class and the Telephone Company Pioneers of Virginia. She loved spending time in her flower gardens, especially tending to her irises. On October 28, 1950, she married Charles Daniel Bird, who preceded her in death on March 11, 2011. Additionally, Mrs. Bird was predeceased by her brother, Kyle Calvin Johnson. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Helen Johnson of Staunton; niece, Beverly Neff and husband, Jim of Staunton; great-nephew, Michael Neff and wife, Rose of Stuarts Draft; two great-great-nieces, Maria and Hannah Neff; cousin, Minnie Faye Taylor of Minnehaha Springs, WV and her special pet and loyal companion, Joy. A funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m., Thursday, March 27, 2014 at St. James United Methodist Church with the Rev. Eddie Barnett officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Seth Smith, Bob Rexrode, Steve "Buck" White, John McManamay, Winifred Smith, Jr., Sam Brown and Bob Kite. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Blanche Gilbert Bible Class. The family will receive friends, at a luncheon, following the interment, in the fellowship hall of St. James United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, c/o Mary Ann Byrd, 337 Hotchkiss Rd, Churchville, VA 24421.

---