Merva Flora (Bradshaw) Bird was born on December 6, 1920, in Bellingham, Washington to Elmer and Elva Bradshaw. She had two brothers, Ernest and Bobby. Both her mother and Bobby passed away when Merva was still young, and her father remarried.
At age five, Merva was introduced to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and later became a member. In later years, she continued taking an active part in the Restoration Branch movement.
During the Depression, Merva's family lived for a short time in Southern Texas, then made their way to Summersville, Missouri. It was through church associations that she met Ivan Bird. They were married on March 29, 1942 and moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Merva and Ivan raised eight children and remained devoted to each other until Ivan passed away in May, 1988.
After Ivan's passing, Merva proudly maintained her independence, often driving friends on errands or making visits to household friends. She enjoyed writing poetry and articles, especially for Restoration Voice magazine, where she was on the editorial board. She also had a talent for sewing quilts for her family and painting beautiful pictures. She had a great love of music as well, and passed that on her to her children.
Merva Flora Bradshaw Bird, of Bates City, Missouri, surrounded by her children, passed away on November 17, 2019, less than three weeks before her 99th birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan Bird, her brothers, Ernest and Bobby Bradshaw, her daughter, Diana Bird Ludy, and two grandsons, Eric and Ludy and Jeffrey Bird.
Merva is survived by her remaining children and their spouses, Ivan Lee and Stella Bird, Robert and Marsha Bird, Gerry and Stephanie Bird, David and Bonnie Bird, Sheila and David Wheaton, Jon and Lisa Bird, and Kevin and Jill Bird. She is also survived by 27 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Merva will be greatly missed by family and friends!
A Celebration of Life will be at 2pm, Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Oak Grove Restoration Branch. Visitation following the service.
