Birdie T. Goforth

Birdie Beatrice Tekell Goforth, 91, passed away on Tuesday, April 9th, 2013. She was born on October 17th, 1921, in Mertens, Texas, to the late, Nip Columbus Tekell, a farmer, and Florence Overman Tekell. Birdie was the youngest of 8 siblings; 4 brothers & 3 sisters.

In 1937, Birdie was a survivor of the New London School Explosion, a life changing disaster that took the lives of 282 students and 14 adults of an oil-rich East Texas community. This catastrophic event altered the way natural gas was processed and dispensed in the United States.

Birdie graduated from Overton High School in 1939, and finished the Lufkin Beautician School, in 1941. She worked for several establishments before opening her own shop. June 26th, 1941 Birdie married Morris Sheppard Goforth at the Overton Methodist Church, in Overton, Texas.

Birdie is survived by her two sons; Eric Goforth (Cathedral City, CA) & Rene’ Goforth (Victoria, TX), four grandsons; Monte, Rip, Zachary & Grant Goforth, three grand daughters; Ashley Goforth Wheat, Natalie & Christine Goforth, thirteen great grandchildren and one great great grand daughter.

In addition to her parents, brothers and sisters, Birdie was preceded in death by her former husband Morris Sheppard Goforth.

Birdie was a Member of the Violet Chapter #158, Order of the Eastern Star, and a member of the First United Methodist Church. In her younger years, she enjoyed playing “42” and golf. Birdie loved playing bingo at Hearthstone Assisted Living, and attended activities at the Victoria Senior Citizens Center, for many years prior to going into Twin Pines Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Birdie grew up in hard times, during the Great Depression, losing both her parents at an early age. She was raised by her sister Eveline Wright, around the Rocky Mount Church, in Sexton City, TX. Birdie lived by the Eastern Star 19 Words: God our Father, Walk through my house and take away all my worries and illnesses. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to Gulf Bend Center’s Wellness Community Housing Project, 6502 Nursery Drive, Suite 100, Victoria, Texas 77904 or Hospice of South Texas’s New Building Fund, 605 E. Locust Avenue, Victoria, TX 77901.

Honorary pallbearers include Stroud P. Watson & Eloise R. Craiger who is now with her in Heaven.

A private graveside service will be held in Overton, TX.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.