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Frank Birdwell Obituary

CARROLLTON - Frank Birdwell, born in Enright, Arkansas in 1947, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 15, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Eugene Birdwell and Mildrene Rouse Birdwell. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Harrison Birdwell; his step-children, Jonathan Bennett, Kristen Hicks; and four grandchildren. Frank was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He taught band and orchestra in the Peninsula School Systems for thirty years. He was a retired staff member of Liberty Baptist Church, where he taught Bible classes, started the Academy of the Arts, an adult and youth orchestra, and a jazz band. Frank had recently received his Doctorate and was a Pastoral Counselor. Above all else Frank loved the Lord Jesus and so wanted everyone to experience God's love. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton with Rev. Joe Hunt officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Liberty Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1021 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA 23666. Friends are encouraged to visit www.wjsmithandsonfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Published by Daily Press on Mar. 18, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
for Frank Birdwell

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I miss Frank. I miss his soft spoken manner. I miss the band. Frank was a friend when I really needed one. He was kind thoughtful and generous. A true leader of the band.

David Cox

Coworker

March 12, 2019

Mr. Birdwell was the conductor of the Liberty Baptist Church orchestra while I was in it in 2011-2013. He was truly a great-hearted man, and was a great instructor. I will greatly miss him.

Bradley Weisman

January 23, 2015

I am just finding out about Mr. Birdwell's passing and I am heartbroken!! He was a great man and a mentor to me!!! You brought the gift to music to so many people. Heaven has gained a great man!

Anastasia Brown

September 12, 2014

Mrs. Birdwell,

God is welcoming your beloved. Sending love to you,

Kristen McLees Milholen

March 25, 2014

I had Mr Birdwell as an instructor in 6th grade at Huntington and then in 9th and 10th grade at Ferguson. he was such a nice person who cared about his students.

Barry Surber

March 24, 2014

Mr. Birdwell was my orchestra teacher at Huntington Middle School. He had such a passion for music that to this day, almost 2 decades later, I still play my violin. He inspired me so much. I enjoyed his class so much. I'm so sad to hear he is no longer with us. He touched so many lives and made a difference in mine! Peace be with you Mr. Birdwell.

Marlisse Allmer

March 22, 2014

God used Mr. Birdwell to bless and support our family in so many ways. He was a dear, godly, generous man who really helped other people know how special they were to the Lord and to him. We are so sad to hear the news of his passing especially for his beloved wife. But we are so glad because of Jesus and that we know that Frank has "just passed on into the other room" where glory awaits all of those who trust in the Lord. Dear Bonnie may the Lord comfort and uphold you as you wait to meet him there one day! God bless you and your family. You are in our prayers. Much love, from the Fuhrmann family

Jack and KIm Fuhrmann

March 22, 2014

Frank Birdwell was a man that I very much looked up to. When I was in high school he was always creating new opportunities for us to learn more about music and use our developing skills to praise The Lord. My heart goes out to his family. He was a great man. I feel blessed to have known him.

Rachel Cerkez

March 21, 2014

I enjoyed working with Frank in the Music Department of the Hampton City Schools. When my Mother moved to the The Chesapeake Retirement Community, I enjoyed so very much the wonderful music groups that Frank brought to perform for the residents there.
May God bless you all with His peace.

Betty Collins

March 21, 2014

Loved Mr Birdwell as a band instructor way back in 1976 and 1977. Every time I play keyboard at church I think of him giving me the opportunity in Jazz Band. And I will never forget the Hesitation Halt in Marching Band my senior year. He is with our Lord and Savior and we will see him again. God bless to his family. He was an awesome guy!

Wanda (Hayes) Burgamy

March 20, 2014

Bonnie and your family, We are deeply saddened to hear of Frank's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are and will continue to be with you in the coming days and weeks.
Mike & Nancy Verniel

March 20, 2014

Dear Bonnie & other family members, our prayers are with you at this difficult time. He was truly an angel of great musical ability. We thank God for the many lives he touched. Bless you.

Wm & Ruth Booth

March 20, 2014

Bonnie
Words can never express my heartfelt sympathy and sadness in the passing of your husband and my friend. Frank was an exceptional individual always willing to share his faith with others and to exemplify The Love of God. He will be greatly missed.

Dr. Lillie Grant-Epps
FACES, Inc.

March 20, 2014

My love, thoughts, and prayers are with you. My heart aches for you. Praise God, we know Frank is with our Lord.

Alicia Sport

March 20, 2014

Bonnie. We are so sorry for you and family for the loss of frank much too soon. Frank did so much for kitten and jr. He helped kitten enter vcu, taught jr to play drums and was probably the sole reason they both got music degrees. Not even for the fact that he was JRs big brother. Bonnie we love you and hope you will call. Please don't suffer your grief all alone. Ann. Jr. Dee dee beckner and kitten Blevins

Ann Beckner

March 20, 2014

Frank was a special person with heartfelt love for those he was trying to help. My respect for Frank goes further than any words I could express. Frank you will be missed. Bonnie, Frank spoke of you so often with such love, although we never met. I am so sorry for you and your family in this loss. God Bless and keep you all throughout this time.

Patti Lueckert

March 20, 2014

Frank Birdwell treated me like a son, he was a mentor in many ways in my life. I remember Frank for his love and passion for the Lord. It was so evident in his prayers, he made great efforts to pray at every practice, even during ‘Living Pictures' that lives would be changed. He would talk about the Lord and get so excited, even on the canoe fishing trips catching ‘smallies' he talked about the Lord. He loved his bride dearly, talked about her as a treasure, he truly adored her. Frank counseled my wife and I, helping us learn the ‘temperaments' that God gave us. Sarah and I will cherish the time we spent with him and look forward to seeing him in Glory!

John Kandra

March 20, 2014

Bonnie, we are praying for God's comfort for you at this time. I know that God used Frank to work in many lives here on earth. For us it started with a new believers class, then men's group for Mark, and orchestra for me. Frank was a great teacher and example of what being a Christian is all about.

Diane Yorkovich

March 19, 2014

Frank was a mentor to me as a new teacher as well as a friend to my family and I during good times and bad and he will be deeply missed. My family's prayers are with Bonnie and the entire family, but we rejoice knowing that Frank is at peace with our Lord and Savior. John, Tood, Louella, Susan, and Andrew

John Lenwell

March 19, 2014

Bonnie - Love and prayers to you and your family. Frank was a very special friend and coworker at LBC for many years. I have tremendous respect for both of you as dedicated servants of Jesus Christ.

Cecile/Raymond McCaffrey

March 19, 2014

Jon, Laura and Nicole...we were so very sorry to learn the news of Mr. Birdwell's passing. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts.

Joan and Wayne Brown

March 19, 2014

Bonnie and Family,

Frank was a good man who loved his Lord and his Family with all his heart.

Know that many are sharing your grief and are comforting you with our prayers.

Jack & Carolyn Fedder

March 19, 2014

Bonnie, Kristen, and John,
We are so deeply sorry for your loss. We know Frank was a godly, wonderful, loving and caring man who will be greatly missed. We will be praying for all of you and if we can do anything at all, please call. We love you,
Kevin, Jenny, Elise and Joel

March 19, 2014

Bonnie, I don't have words to express my feelings about losing Frank. We've worked together for so long in the orchestra and band and academy it's very hard to imagine life without him being there. I owe most of what I do in the church today to him. If it weren't for his "Beginning Again" class for out of practice musicians I probably wouldn't be playing today at all. We're sorely going to miss him.

Ronnie Boswell

March 19, 2014

Bonnie, My heart was saddened when I heard the news of Frank's passing. I truly loved playing in LBC orchestra under his leadership. I even took my sister and mother to his computer music classes at Liberty, we so enjoyed it. May God bless and bring comfort to you and the family during this sorrowful time.

Janet Stephan

March 19, 2014

Bonnie - We are so sadden to hear of the loss of Frank on Saturday. Heaven must have needed a talented musician to lead God orchestra. That is the only reason I think God would take him home so early. Our hearts are heavy and we know that Franks love for his Lord and love for people will live on. We are so very sorry for your loss. Bonnie and Russell Reames

Bonnie & Russell Reames

March 19, 2014

We will miss him...praying for you and family.

Debbie Melvin

March 19, 2014

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Debbie Melvin

March 19, 2014

Mr. Birdwell was my orchestra director at LBC since I began playing the french horn, almost seven years ago. He is solely responsible for a large part of my success as a musician, and has endorsed my love of music more than words can express. We lost a beautiful man, but heaven gained one of its brightest stars, and I am humbled to have been under his direction for so many years.

Noah Fotis

March 18, 2014

I was blessed to have been taught to play the violin by dedicated teachers in the Hampton Roads area. The same is true for two of my children who were students of Mr. Birdwell. I will forever be grateful to have known him.

Frances Brown

March 18, 2014

Frank was a real friend. His heart belonged to God. He always looked for ways to reach out to others. He was a light in my life during a dark time. He made such a difference! Bonnie, I am praying for you. May the Lord bless you with extraordinary grace as you face the days ahead.

David Cox

March 18, 2014

Mr. Birdwell nurtured my son's love of music. Frank served as the hand of God's providence in finding and blessing my son with a piano when we could not afford one. Everytime we walk past that piano and especially when we hear our son play it, to the Glory of God, we will remember Frank Birdwell and give thanks.

Kari Fotis

March 18, 2014

Mr. Frank Birdwell was my Band and Orchestra Director at Pembroke High School from 1973-77. He was the reason I made music my career. Graduated with a BA in Music, served in the United States Air Force Band as an oboist for 26 years and now teach Orchestra with Virginia Beach City Public Schools. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

David Boone

March 18, 2014

bonnie, you and frank were so special to me. he will always be remembered as a special brother in jesus Christ we will see jesus.

donnie dail

March 18, 2014

Bonnie,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We pray you are Comforted by Our Lord and Savior in knowing Frank was loved by so many ,and now is in His Presence. He was Always eager to help others as you well know, He helped a couple of years ago in Celebrate Recovery, by sharing his knowledge in addictions and bad habits. We pray you will have Peace, that surpasses all understanding .We love you and are here for you. I know as much as he loved music, He is singing Praises to Jesus, How Beautiful.

Cindy & Gordon Deel

March 18, 2014

Bonnie I so loved seeing you and
Frank on the church bus so many Sunday's. I was amazed to think I first met Frank when I was in Jr High School Choir at Jeff Davis. He has been an inspiration to me for a very long time. You are in my prayers.

Susan Massengill

March 18, 2014

Bonnie-Frank was more of a brother to me than a friend.He had a genuine concern for me.Men like him are few and far between,one who won't be replaced!I am grateful for the years I had with him.He will surely be missed!

H.L. KARIKA

March 18, 2014

Bonnie - Frank will be missed by everyone in our neighborhood. His broad smile, engaging personality, and sense of duty were his distinctive charms. His love for the Lord was never in question, and you realize this if you were ever in his presence. We are so sorry for your loss and the loss to our neighborhood.

Our deepest sympathy to you and your family,

Stacey and Victoria Hopson

Stacey and Victoria Hopson

March 18, 2014

Bonnie, We are so sad to hear of Frank's passing. I will never forget his awesome rendition of Frosty the Snowman...and the costume too!! Aundrea had so much fun with him, fishing and boating in your pond. He will be missed. We are praying for God's peace to be with you.

Janet Haney & Aundrea Clark

March 18, 2014

May God bring comfort to you and your family during this time of preparations and mourning. I was a co-worker with Frank in both Hampton and Newport News, and was inspired by his Christian strengths. May your memories of him bring peace to your heart.

Jeraldine Herbison

March 18, 2014

Bonnie
Our thoughts and prayers are w/you. I had the privilege of knowing Frank since the mid 70s while at Riverside Baptist Church. God has truly used Frank to touch the lives of so many. I know he was received in heaven as Well done Thy good and faithful Servant. We pray for comfort/peace.

Diane & Gene Lancour

March 18, 2014

Bonnie, Jon & Laura, & Kristi- My heart was heavy when I heard the news. May you all rest knowing that he is rejoicing in Heaven. We will continue to keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Stephanie & Melvin Thorne

March 18, 2014

Bonnie
We are praying for you (for peace and comfort). It was a pleasure knowing Frank since back in the mid-70s. His work on Earth is done. Our loss is heaven's gain. Diane and Gene, Yorktown VA

Diane & Gene Lancour

March 18, 2014

I was so sorry to hear of Franks passing, Bonnie I will continue to keep you in my prayers. Heaven has gained a true Angel.

Doug Newbill

March 18, 2014

Bonnie - HL and I are so sorry for your loss. Frank was always there for HL and he has touched so many lives in his quest to win souls to our Lord. He was truely a man who loved and served our Lord and Savior with all his heart. If there is anything we can do to help you with ANYTHING please give us a call. You and your family are in our prayers as we ask for peace and strength for all of you in the days to come. In HIS love, Marie & HL Karika

Marie Karika

March 18, 2014

We will miss Frank. Heidi loved being part of the church and the youth orchestra at Liberty. He touched many lives. Mark and Patty Smith

March 18, 2014

Bonnie - we are so sorry for your loss. Frank was a patient and generous man. We rejoice that he is with his Lord! We're praying for you! ~ Wayne & Laura

Laura Supplee

March 18, 2014

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