Erma Lee White Birdsong

Erma Lee White Birdsong was born in Atlanta, Georgia December 3, 1928, to the union of Willie Erma Pyron and Acie White. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband, son and two grandchildren. As an only child, she had a very active and fun-filled life with her cousins, which she loved dearly.

Erma attended the Atlanta Public Schools and graduated from the Booker T. Washington High School class of 1947. She attended Clark Atlanta University.

She married James Joe Birdsong Sr. during her second year of college and moved to South Carolina where he was stationed in the U.S. Marine Corps. They eventually moved back to Atlanta and started their family.

They were blessed with three children, James Joe Jr, Janet Maurita and Julian Alan.

Affectionately known as Erma Lee, Mama, Mama Bird, Mother Birdsong, Grandma Erma, GG, and Ms. Erma.

For many years Erma worked as a domestic. She became a Certified Nurse's Aide (CNA) and worked at Touhy Nursing Home in Chicago until retirement. She served her community as a PTA board president in Atlanta and secretary of the 9900 Yale Block Club in Chicago.

She accepted Christ in her life at an early age and has lived for Him throughout her years. She grew up into adulthood as a member of Ariel Bowen United Methodist Church in Atlanta before moving to Chicago, IL in 1965. There she joined Woodlawn United Methodist Church. Erma later became a member of New Gresham United Methodist Church where she served faithfully as a Sunday school teacher, Communion Steward Board and the United Methodist Women.

In her final years, you could still find her on Zoom meetings with fellow church members, reading her Bible, chatting with family members, working crossword puzzles, and very active on Facebook.

On June 28, 2024, at 10:10 a.m. an angel came to visit Erma and said, "Come on home to a land that is free of sickness". Erma leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Janet Maurita Jackson; son, Julian and his wife Badonna Birdsong; 6 grandchildren, Jamil (Nikita) Barnett, Jazmin Barnett-Birdsong (Ogheneovo); Maurita Jackson; William (Joanne) Jackson Jr.; Jordan (Megan)Birdsong; and Jared Birdsong; 10 great grandchildren. Jayden Barnett, Jace Barnett, Alexander Austin, Olivia Turner, Madisen Turner, Javari Foreste, Cavonna Foreste, Jaila Birdsong, Karsyn Birdsong, and Avery Birdsong; sister-in-law, Maurice Domineck, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, dear friends and loved ones.

When asked how she wanted to be remembered, her response was,

" I have lived a Christian life, all my life, as an active member of the United Methodist Church. I loved everybody.  I wish for all my family members and friends to make peace with each other. I do not fear death, I think it is not the end, but a new beginning for me. "

To the caretakers at the Residence at Middle Glen (Helen Chebei Chepkwory and Recho Ngeny Chelangat) she is thankful and grateful for the affectionate care they provided for the last eight months.

The Family would like you to join them in a Home Going Celebration on Friday, July 12, 2024, 11:00 am, at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home Chapel, 740 S. Edmonds Ln., Lewisville, TX 75067. There will be a visitation 1 hour prior to the service.

We invite you to attend the virtual celebration of life service that will be live streamed using https://zoom.us/  or the Mobile Zoom App on your device. You must have a Zoom account to view the live stream of the service.

Create an account if you do not have one.    Click Join.

Enter meeting ID: 9724364581

Password: mmfh972