Mary Ina Bird

Private graveside services for Mary Ina Bird, 97, Dora, Missouri, will be held at Parsons Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Bird passed away at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at Ozark River Manor, Ozark, Missouri.

She was born February 14, 1923, at Pottersville, Missouri, to Walter Green Collins and Flossie Lillian Paul Collins.  Ms. Bird lived most of her life in the Dora area and acquired her education at the Collins School in Ozark County, close to where she grew up.  On October 5, 1940, she was married at Gainesville, Missouri, to James William Bird, who preceded her in death on March 10, 1989.  Unto this union four children were born.  Mrs. Bird enjoyed making quilts and rugs and sharing them with others.  She loved her family and her church family.  Mrs. Bird had been a member of the Ball Church of Christ for many years.

She is survived by four children, Nita Tetrick and husband, Ferd, Dora, Missouri, Velvie Thornton and husband, Charles, Ozark, Missouri, Linda Wheat and husband, Kenneth, Sparta, Missouri and Tony Bird and wife, Cindy, Rogersville, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Mark Tetrick, Brenda Harris and husband, Frank, Alan Thornton and wife, Anne, David Thornton and wife, Dena, Kim Anderson, Lisa Gann and husband, Milan, Laura Jacks and husband, Billy, Leslie Neal and husband, Aaron, Joshua Bird and wife, Kara and Tyler Bird and wife, Sarah; thirty-five great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; twenty great-great-grandchildren; two step-great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Helen Collins, Pottersville, Missouri and Alice Collins, Republic, Missouri; and many nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives.

Her parents, husband, one great-granddaughter, Mary Afton Jeckstadt; five brothers, two sisters, two sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Bird will lie in state from 5:00 p.m., until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to Fair Haven Children’s Home and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.