Robert L. Birdsong Sr.

Mr. Robert L. Birdsong Sr. (Papa Robert), 78, of 20324 College Park Ave., Ettrick, departed this life Tuesday Feb. 3, 2009 at his daughter's home, 10 Spring Ct., Petersburg.

He was born March 31, 1930 to the late Ruby Ward Birdsong and Richard Spencer Birdsong.

Robert attended the Nottoway Public Schools and graduated from Nottoway Training School in 1949.

Mr. Birdsong worked as a taxicab driver on the Fort Lee base, the Norfolk Western Railroad, and was employed 24 years as a repair tech at Allied Chemicals Corp.

He served for two years in the United States Army. Robert was involved in a number of civic duties including being instrumental in starting the Ettrick Youth Sports Association, and was inducted into the Chesterfield Hall of Fame in 1999.

He sung with the Modernaire's Gospel Group and the First Baptist Male Choir.

He was a member of the Democratic Committee, US Camping Club, and CAPAAMMD.

He confessed Christ at an early age and was baptized into the fellowship of Eleven Oaks Baptist Church, Crewe, Va. In the early 1960s, he moved from Crewe to Petersburg where he later joined First Baptist Church, Harrison Street, Petersburg. He was preceded in death by four brothers: Richard, McCarol, Johnny and Edward Birdsong; two sisters, Nellie Bass and Ann "Annie Bell" Williams.

He is leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Jean C. Birdsong; a son, Robert Lee Birdsong Jr. (Tammy); four daughters, Elaine B. Gorns (Donald), Robin Birdsong, Wanda Birdsong and Cathy Birdsong (Walton); a brother, Charles Birdsong (Annette); a sister, Ruth Birdsong-King (Thomas); a sister-in-law, Vivian Mae Birdsong; eight grandchildren, Lashan Birdsong, Rika Thompson (Ricky), Nicole Fields, Jervon Walton, Nikiya Birdsong, Robert Birdsong III (Winta), Jessica Hollimon and Kayla Birdsong; 14 great-grandchildren, Ricardo Thompson Jr., Shaquetta Fields, Precious Thompson, Tevin Thompson, Tyrell Fields, Eboni Birdsong, Desmond Fields, Devyn Collier, Mekhi Birdsong, Ariana Birdsong, Anaia Birdsong, Jada Thompson, Janae Thompson and Nigea Turner; devoted friends, Calvin Williams, Theodore Marshall (Mary), Marvette McKensie and Tyrone Fields; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at noon Monday, Feb. 9, 2009 at First Baptist Church, Harrison St., Petersburg, with The Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Tillman officiating. The interment will be in Southlawn Memorial Park, Petersburg. Friends are invited to join the family from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday for the wake at the Chapel of William N. Bland and Son Funeral Home, Petersburg. The family will assemble at the residence one hour prior to the funeral on the day of service.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the staff of William N. Bland and Son Funeral Home, Petersburg, (804) 732-7841, now serving from three locations, Petersburg, Hopewell, and Waverly.

Please send online condolences to: www.blandenterprisesinc.com.