Birdie Boykin West

Birdie Boykin West, 81, of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, went to her heavenly home to be with her Lord on March 6, 2008.

She resided in Santa Rosa Beach for ten years. Mrs. West began writing and singing gospel songs in the early sixties and has touched the lives of many through her music ministry and her love. Baptist by faith, Mrs. West was a member of South Walton First Baptist Church in Santa Rosa Beach.

Mrs. West was born in Forrest, Mississippi, and was the daughter of the late Richard Corneilus Boykin and Eula Lee Jones. Mrs. West is survived by one sister, Jimmie Boykin Reid of Mobile, Alabama; four daughters, Earlene Delois Sanders of Gainesboro, Tennessee, Mary Jean Kirk, Sharon Villareal Smith, and Rita Villareal Browning, all of Santa Rosa Beach; 20 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. West was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters; four children, Naomi Ruth Robison of Gainesboro, Tennessee, John Wilson Villareal Jr. of Santa Rosa Beach, Victoria Lee Villareal of Tampa, Florida, Emmanuel Richard Villareal of Crestview, Florida and a granddaughter, Shelia Long of Plant City, Florida.

Visitation services will be held one hour prior 1:00~2:00 PM, Saturday, March 8, 2008 at South Walton First Baptist Church; 243388 Highway 331 in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Saturday, March 8, 2008 at South Walton Baptist Church, with Pastor Tom Lyle of Gainesboro, Tennessee, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Gulf Cemetery. Pallbearers will be James Canell, Tammy Long, Tony Villareal, Timmy Villareal, Joel Quintilliana, Richard Fritcher, James Villareal and Richard Villareal.

Mrs. West will be forever loved and deeply missed by all friends and family. We cry tears of joy for her entrance into heaven, yet tears of sorrow for our great loss.

[Source: Clary-Glenn.com]

[Burial: Gulf Cemetery, Santa Rosa Beach]