"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Robert Kenneth Birdsong was born July 11, 1934 at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, the son of Morris Sheppard Birdsong and Bobbie Ellison Boatwright. His start in life was challenging, suffering a mild stroke at birth. Through the orthopedic treatment received at Scottish Rite Hospital of Dallas, he was able to overcome most of the side effects - including being able to walk. Sadly, his last few months were also very challenging. In early 2020, he suffered from sepsis shock. Then, he was diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus on July 20th. At the age of 86, he passed away peacefully into the arms of his Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 7, 2020.

He was brought up by his mother, Bobbie (Boatwright) Birdsong-Westerfield, with support from his grandmother, Ada (Barrington) Boatwright-Schofield, and aunt, Bessie Marie (Boatwright) Donovan. It was his beloved aunt and her husband, Ovid T. Donovan, who provided the means for him to attend college.

Kenneth attended Forest Avenue Baptist Church – Dallas, TX with his mother, where he made his public profession of faith to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord & Savior on April 25, 1943. During his life, he attended Baptist churches in Dallas, Decatur, Brownwood, Needville and Rosenberg, Texas. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Rosenberg from 1967 until his death. He was ordained as a deacon in 1970. His service to his church included Sunday School teacher, VBS worker, youth choir support team, offering counting team, and Sunday School Secretary. He was recognized in November 2019 for 47 years of service as Sunday School Secretary.

Kenneth's childhood was spent in South Dallas. He shared stories about his favorite dog, Rags, and the antics with his friends on Peabody Street. He graduated from Forest Avenue High School – Dallas ISD, January 1953. He furthered his education, graduating from Decatur Baptist College – Class of 1955 and Howard Payne College – Class of 1957. He returned to Howard Payne over the next few summers, earning a Master of Education in 1961.

There was always a close connection with the Decatur Baptist College Class of 1955, due primarily to the work of his dear friend – Carol Sue (Jackson) Kunkel. The class gathered annually for reunions – alternating between the historic Decatur campus and the current Dallas Baptist University campus. The group gathered for the last time in 2005, celebrating 50 years.

After graduating from college, Kenneth added his name to the list of graduates available for teaching positions. The superintendent from Needville ISD traveled to Dallas for the interview. Kenneth accepted an offer to teach elementary school and moved to Needville, Texas in the fall of 1957. In 1961, a new first grade teacher arrived in Needville – Ruth Bowdoin. In addition to teaching together, they both attended the First Baptist Church of Needville. After a school-year courtship, they were married on May 28, 1962.

His tenure with Needville ISD spanned from 1957 to 1984, primarily teaching fifth and sixth grade math. Some common responses he was known to say included: "Can't never did anything." and "I don't give grades, that's exactly what your child earned."

In addition to teaching, Kenneth worked for JCPenney for many years. He initially began working weekends and summers to supplement his teaching income, moving up to floor supervisor at JCPenney Meyerland – Houston, TX. After retiring from teaching, he transitioned to full-time status as a salesperson in the men's department at the Sharpstown location. He retired from JCPenney in 1994.

After retirement, Kenneth began overseeing the after-school care for his granddaughter, Robyn (Garlough) Hernandez and her cousin, John Jason Beard. Their adventures included treats of sno-cones, McDonald's French fries and occasionally Hartz rolls, along with trips to the baseball card shop. He also provided transportation to the YMCA, cheerleading and baseball practices. While waiting for school to let out, he often visited with other grandparents and parents. It was during this time he heard the need of a young mother. She had to return to work full-time, but was concerned because she needed after-school transportation for her son with special needs and her daughter. Kenneth volunteered to help, providing their transportation home for five plus years. In Christian love, he had the gift of helping whomever he could.

Retirement also included time to travel. Kenneth & Ruth, along with her sister and brother-in-law – Frances & Darden Welsh, traveled to Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, and South Dakota. During these trips, they often visited extended family in their quest for genealogy history.

He had a love for history, which was his college minor. He read many books, always eager to learn something new about the past. He bought, read and donated back hundreds of books to the Fort Bend County Library. He also loved sports. He served as manager for high school and college sports teams.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his mother, Bobbie Ellison (Boatwright) Westerfield; his beloved aunt & her husband, Marie & Ovid T. Donovan; his sister-in-law and her husband, Frances & Darden Welsh, and his brother-in-law and his wife, Robert Earl and Brenda Bowdoin.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruth (Bowdoin) Birdsong; daughters, Betty (Birdsong) Garlough and her husband, Greggory; and Kim Birdsong; granddaughter, Robyn (Garlough) Hernandez and her husband, Jorge; a special young man who was like a grandson, John Jason Beard; and numerous other family and friends – including his church family of First Baptist Church of Rosenberg.

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Friday, August 14, 2020, at Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors Chapel, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471, with Dr. Donnie Melton officiating. Burial will follow at Morton Cemetery, Richmond, TX. Pallbearers will be: Jorge Hernandez, John Jason Beard, Art Maya, Jim Gutowsky, Charlie Euton, and Hank Suenkel.

DUE TO COVID-19, SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED. Attendance will be limited to family and close friends. Please understand that due to the high-risk status, the immediate family will not be available for visitation.

Memorials may be given in Kenneth's memory to the First Baptist Church of Rosenberg, 1117 First Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Cards may be mailed to the family at PO Box 38, Needville, TX, 77461, or online condolences may be added to the obituary at www.garmanycarden.com

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4671.