Lee Darden Birdsong Jr.

Mr. Lee Darden Birdsong Jr., 81, of 111 Fairway Drive, Washington, N.C., died Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at his residence. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, January 16, 2004 in the chapel of Hillside Funeral Service with The Rev. William J. Bradbury officiating. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Derek McEntee, Lex Mann, Jonny Moore, Hal Mathiesen, Steve Lester and Scott Hanum will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Hillside Funeral Service, 4500 Highway 264 East, Washington, N.C. The family will also receive friends from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, January 15, 2004 and following the funeral service at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Ed and Debra Birdsong at 450 Cox Road, Washington and other times at his home. Mr. Birdsong was born August 30, 1922 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the son of the late Lee Darden Birdsong Sr. and Thelma Moore Birdsong. He graduated from high school in Hyattesville, Maryland and from Clemson University. He was a retired electrical engineer with Bell Systems-Telephone Co. Mr. Birdsong was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific Theater during WWII. On May 15, 1948, he married the former Elizabeth Ellen Callaway. He was a member of the Washington Society of Engineers and Telephone Pioneers of America. He was a past President of the Lion's Club in Upper Marlboro, Md., a member of the Ruritan Club in Stony Creek, Va., a lifetime brother of the Mt. Hermon Masonic Lodge AF&AM in Hyattesville, Md., and a Shriner in Washington, D.C. He was also a member of the Sons of the Confederate Army and the Stars & Bars. Mr. Birdsong was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Washington, N.C. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth Callaway Birdsong; one son, Edward Lee Birdsong and his wife, Debra of Washington, N.C.; one brother, Philip E. Birdsong of Sarasota, Fla.; and two grandsons, Christopher Lee Birdsong and Peter Joseph Birdsong, both of Washington, N.C. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles L. Birdsong and Merrill M. Birdsong. The family appreciates the love and concern of friends and suggests that memorial contributions be directed to Beverly Hospice, P.O. Box 1645, Greenville, N.C. 27835. Arrangements by Hillside Funeral Service, 252-975-4500.