Mary Jo Birdwell

Mary Jo Birdwell of Dimmitt, Texas passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the age of 101 years.

Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 2:00PM at the First Methodist Church with Rev. Eliezer Garrido officiating. Burial will follow in Castro Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the care of Colonial Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at the funeral Home.

Mary Jo (Tatum) Birdwell was born near Plainview, Texas, to Hugh B. and Stella Mae (Dalmont) Tatum on June 17, 1924. She grew up on the family farm. She attended Seth Ward and Lamar grade schools, Plainview Junior High and High School where she was active in choir and sang in a trio. Upon graduation in 1942, she attended West Texas State University in Canyon, where she met the love of her life, Kent Birdwell, on a blind date arranged by the boyfriend of her roommate, who was from Dimmitt. At WT, she was a member of the Pi Omega Sorority which later became Zeta Tau Alpha. On a summer vacation she went to Los Angeles to visit her Aunt Mary Worthington, who was caring for a great aunt in Highland Park, California. She obtained employment with Food Machinery Corporation, the procurement and engineering department of an amphibious tank used in World War II. When the war ended, defense plants closed and related jobs were terminated. Military servicemen came home. Mary Jo and Kent were married in Dimmitt on July 28, 1946. Their first house was built using oak siding that came from the Italian prisoners of war camp near Hereford. She obtained employment with Mark and Jack Cowsert with the Cowsert Abstract Company until their first child arrived. Childcare became full time, and they were blessed with five children. Their first child, Paula Jo, was born on October 24, 1949, followed by Karen, Steve, Kelly and Russel. Mary Jo always loved all of the Birdwell family as much as her own smaller family.

Mary Jo was always busy with their children, their activities, cooking, and gardening. She was an active member of the First Methodist Church for many years and active in the youth and lady organizations as long as possible.

After Kent retired from being the Castro County Tax Assessor-Collector he became the first State Farm agent in Dimmitt. Mary Jo worked with him as office manager as well as managing the West Texas Mini Storage until Kent retired. Russel then became the agent and Mary Jo retired to full-time homemaking. Kent continued to work selling used cars for many years.

Mary Jo is survived by her daughter, Karen Barron, and son, Russel Birdwell, of Dimmitt. Her grandchildren are Paula Bradford's children, Jaime Winters and husband Luke of Amarillo, Scott Bradford and wife Jennifer of Albuquerque; Karen's children, James Kyle Barron and Jason Barron and wife Farrah of Austin; Kelly's children Buddy Birdwell and wife Deven of Amarillo, Joel Birdwell and wife Abigail of Dimmitt, Ben Birdwell and Jordyn Burrow of Dimmitt; and Russel's children Mason Birdwell of Amarillo, Macy Birdwell of Seattle, Rayce Birdwell of Canyon, and Devonee Ortiz, of San Antonio. Her great-grandchildren are Mallory and Daphne Winters, Jaden and Ella Barron, Kaden and Riley Birdwell, Caleb, Brianna and Samara Birdwell, and Anistynn, Caison, and Deacon Birdwell. Other surviving family members are her nieces and nephews, Carl and Jackie Weinaug, Craig and Sally Don Weinaug, Jim Birdwell and Billie Sue Ballard.

Mary Jo was predeceased by her parents, her sister Catherine Weinaug, her brother-in-law Charles Weinaug, her husband Kent Birdwell, her sons Kelly Birdwell and Steve Birdwell, and her daughter Paula Jo Bradford.

The family has requested memorials be made to the First Methodist Church, 110 SW 3rd St., Dimmitt, Texas 79027 or to the American Cancer Society, 3915 Bell St., Amarillo, Texas 79109

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