Arno And Myrtle Birdsong

FORT MEADE - Mr. Herbert Arno Birdsong and Mrs. Myrtle H. Birdsong, who loved each other deeply through a 71 year love story marriage, have both gone to be with their Lord.
Mrs. Myrtle H. Birdsong, 88, passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014 in Fort Meade of heart failure. Mrs. Birdsong was born March 28, 1925 in Plant City, FL to her parents, Boyington and Julia Dean Harrell, and graduated from Turkey Creek High School in 1943 where she was also a cheerleader. Immediately after graduating from high school she married her husband Arno, and has been a resident of Fort Meade for over 60 years. Mrs. Birdsong worked with the Polk County Tax Assessor's office for nearly 10 years, and assisted her husband in their family business, B&B Electronics in Fort Meade. She was a longtime member of the First Church of God of Fort Meade where she worked in any area of the church that needed her attention. Mrs. Birdsong loved her church and was the choir director and a Sunday School teacher for over 25 years. She directed the Lower Lighthouse Family that aired on television every Sunday afternoon, and Mrs. Birdsong shared her wonderful talent of singing throughout her community for many years singing for countless funerals and weddings. She was an accomplished vocalist, artist, and loved quilting. Mrs. Birdsong was preceded in death by several of her brothers and sisters. Of 10 children in her family, two of her siblings survive her. They include her brother, Grady Harrell and sister, Audrey Simmons, both of Plant City, FL.
Inclusively Mr. and Mrs. Birdsong are survived by their son, Michael A. Birdsong and wife Judy, Fort Meade, FL; daughters, Melanie Birdsong Justice and husband Charles, North Augusta, SC, and Julie Birdsong Hooper, Fort Meade, FL; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Mr. Herbert Arno Birdsong, 89, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2014 in Bartow of heart failure. Mr. Birdsong was born on May 25, 1924 in Boaz, AL to his parents Troy and Thelma Propes Birdsong. Along with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mr. Birdsong is survived by his sisters, Marie Harrell, Plant City, FL and Anne Copeland and husband Randall, Plant City, FL. Mr. Birdsong and his treasured wife lived happily in Fort Meade for over 60 years. He was an electronics technician, owning B&B Electronics in Fort Meade for many years, and also retired from the Fort Meade Fire Department as Assistant Chief, after a long tenure of over 25 years of service to his community. Mr. Birdsong was a WW II U.S. Army Veteran, a member of Fort Meade Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Lions Club. He, along with his wife Myrtle, was a longtime member of the First Church of God of Fort Meade where they worshiped together, and worked side by side on many projects of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Birdsong lived their lives helping and loving their family, their church, and their friends.
Visitation will be held for Mr. and Mrs. Birdsong from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 1, 2014 at the First Church of God, 215 S. Perry Ave., Fort Meade, FL. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary with Rev. Travis Risner and Rev. Randall Belcher officiating. Interment for Mr. and Mrs. Birdsong will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Meade. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make contributions to Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Rd., Tavares, FL 32778 or to the First Church of God Building Fund.
Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171