Lela Mae Bird

Lela Mae Bird, 92, of St. Joseph, MI went peacefully to the Lord on August 9th, 2025.
Lela was born on October 25th, 1932, to William Benjamin Franklin Shearer and Callie Edith Lee Shearer in Wilburn, Arkansas. Her family moved to Benton Harbor, MI when she was 14. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in the spring of 1951 where she was voted Miss Photogenic her senior year. Lela had a great love for her family, music, and God. She played bass, had a beautiful voice, but above all, she loved to play the piano. She played piano for church congregations for nearly the entire span of her life. Doing so was where she found her greatest peace and joy. She loved going to church and found a home at Hartford General Baptist. She loved to travel, often taking her grandchildren on trips in her motor home. She was a true beauty that loved fashion and was well known for always looking sharp. She loved flowers of all kinds and planted beautiful gardens. She adored children and would light up any time they were around. More than anything, she loved her family.
Lela was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. John Bird, stepson Peter Bird, and all her siblings, Lonnie, Edith, Anabelle, Leo, Jesse, and Glen.
She is survived by her children, Cathy Kiser, Vickie Page, David Kiser and stepson Frank Bird. Her grandchildren, Chad Davidson, Cassia (Aaron) Gibson, Dana Kiser, Amber (Rick) Shureb, Kiptrinn (Josh) Trinidad, Nikki (Austin) Farrow-Page, Stephanie (Blake) Williams, and step grands Ashford Bird, Brianne Bird, Craig Bird, and Melanie Bird, 23 great grandchildren and 12 great, great grands and Loneta (Ricky, Tammy) Howell, her best friend and niece.
A memorial service will be held on August 31st, 2025 at 2pm, by Pastor Steve Bisbee of Hartford General Baptist Church 323 E Main St. Hartford, MI 49057.