BIRDWELL, JIMMIE DOYLE, Ferris' well-loved and long-time Mayor went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at Methodist Hospital in Dallas, surrounded by his family after a more than six-month battle against complications from liver disease. He was born on September 21, 1930 in Hillsboro, Texas to Oides and Emma Everett Birdwell and was the oldest surviving son of eleven children. He was married to his sweetheart, Bobbie Jean Ray, for 55 years on March 18, 2005. He was a graduate of Ferris High School and attended Texas A & M University and Jacksonville Baptist College. He was the Mayor of Ferris from 1984 until his death except for one two-year term when he retired. Besides being the Mayor of Ferris during his life he was also employed by Sadisco in Ferris, Red Ball Motor Freight, the U.S. Postal Service, and was an ordained minister and former pastor of the First Baptist Church in DeSoto, Texas. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ferris, Teamsters Union and the Rural Mail Carrier Association. He also was a past member and officer of the Ferris Little League Association and the Ferris Yellowjacket Booster Club. He was an avid sports fan, first by playing, then by coaching, and later in life by watching. Besides being a calm presence he was known for being a great peacemaker. Close to his heart was his family, living in Ferris, Christian fellowship and music. Proceeded in death by his mother, Emma, brother, Oides Everett, father, Oides and step-mother, Mabel Pritchett Birdwell. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Jean, children Jayme and wife Crystol, son Robbie, daughters Donna (Ralston) Shaw, Janna Neal, all of Ferris and son Clint of Flower Mound, Texas. He is also survived sisters Mary (Stroud) Edwards and husband Martin, Debbie and husband Mike Heckathorn from Terrell, Kimothy Valdez, of Ferris, Pat and husband Bill Allen of Mineola, and brothers Joel and wife Mona of Calgary, Canada, Ronnie, of Ferris, Bill "Indian" and wife Mona of Rowlett and Timothy and wife Penny of Bristol, Texas. Visitation will be at First Baptist Church; Thursday, April 14 from 6 - 8 pm. Services will be held at First Baptist Church in Ferris, Friday, April 15 at 4:00 pm with burial following.
Published in Dallas Morning News on Apr. 14, 2005