Margaret Jeannette Birden

Margaret Jeannette Birden was born on April 14, 1929 to Frank and Ellen Chandler in Boyds Creek, Tennessee. She departed this life peacefully on Thursday, February 6, 2025. She was the second of twelve children and was educated at the Payne's Temple Grammar School. Due to the inadequacies and inequities of a small southern town, she was unable to further her education and entered the workforce to help with family finances. She married James Birden on December 27, 1949. Their family included Sharon, George, Gail, Anthony and a bonus daughter, Doris. She was raised to love the Lord and attended the Boyds Creek Church of God where she sang in the choir. Her love for the old songs of the church continued throughout her life and she would often sing to her children and grandchildren Take Jesus With You and This Is the Day the Lord Has Made. She was baptized in Jesus' name and received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost at Bethel Temple Apostolic Church under the pastorate of Bishop Dane Clark. She dearly loved her pastor and his loving wife, Lady Lisa Clark and the members of the church.
Many people called her Mom and she was much loved for her kind and giving spirit. She thought it was her personal responsibility to ensure everyone's happiness and safety. Her husband often told her, "It's a shame you weren't born rich," Then she would have been able to give the way she wanted. She hardly ever ended a conversation without her famous "Love and Kisses". This is now the way most family members take leave of each other. A great southern cook, she was famous for her fried chicken and pie crust. She never used a recipe and when she was once asked how she could make that pie crust so perfect every time she stated that she could tell she got it right simply by the feel of the dough as she worked it with her hands.
She will continue to live in the hearts of her children; George Birden, Sharon Harris (loving and faithful caregiver for 15 years), Gail (Elder Roger) Totten and Doris (Rudolph) Smith along with her many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and friends and remaining brother, Mayford (Catherine) Chandler. She was especially dear to niece, Joyce Chandler, cousin, Annette Barber and special friends, Adele Mosely, Wanda Clark and, Al Ponder.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James, after almost 56 years of marriage, along with her parents, son, Anthony, daughter-in-law, Joyce Birden and 10 siblings.
Like the virtuous woman of scripture, her children arise and call her blessed. If she were here with us she would surely offer an extra special thank you to granddaughters, Tiffany and Alicia for the excellent loving care they gave her during her last few weeks on earth and grandson, Rog for his great service as her personal chauffeur.
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