Blackston Bird

Blackston Edwin Bird, age 93 affectionately known by all as “Blackie”, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, peacefully on Thursday morning, January 28, 2021 while surrounded by his loving family. 

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Smith-King Cemetery in Mound, with Rev. Charles McKamie officiating.

Blackie was born on November 23, 1927 in Bertram, Texas to the late Harvie and Froney Bird. He married Gladys Jones of Flat, on February 26, 1949. They started their life together at Buchanan Dam, Texas, where he managed the Buchanan Boat Docks and Island Lodges until 1963, when they moved to Gatesville.  After trying a few different job avenues, Blackie chose to start working for the Gatesville State School for Boys and later transitioned to the Texas Department of Corrections in 1976.  He was employed with the State until his retirement in 1989, at the age of 62.  Although retired, Blackie never slowed down.  He had many interests and favorite pastimes, like tinkering with Model A Fords, going to swap meets, buying and selling guns, going daily to the local pawn shops to check out bargains on guns, riding motorcycles with his son Bobby, baking his delicious pecans pies, mowing his property, running a chain saw and eating breakfast every morning at 6 am at the El Tapatio on Main Street, where he had a table reserved and a white coffee cup waiting for him each morning. The owner would even call Blackie if he didn’t show up at his regular time each morning, to be sure he was ok.  Blackie was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Flat, where he was a Deacon for many years. He enjoyed the monthly Men’s Prayer Breakfasts and making coffee every Sunday morning for the church family. Blackie and Gladys also fostered 56 children through the Methodist Children’s Home and Child Protective Services. In their spare time, they liked to travel all over visiting friends and relatives while tracking down family genealogy.

Blackie was a man of great integrity who leaves a great legacy behind of his kindness and love toward others and his belief in hard work to provide for his family.  He will be dearly missed by all those who were blessed to have known him.

Blackie was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Matilda Jones in 2002; parents, Harvie Bird and Froney Ann Huggins Bird; brother, R. Granville Bird; sisters, Shirley Maude Bird, Betty Jane Hill, Anne Mae McCloskey; and a granddaughter, Molly Anne Hightower.

He is survived by his son, Bobby Bird and wife, Sandra; daughter, Teresa Eddings and husband, Donnie; sisters Billie Jo Amidon,  Adarene Wilson and husband, Joe; grandchildren, Kevin Fisk and wife, Tracy, Kelly Evans and husband, Alf, Casi Renfro and husband, Matt, Terron Rivas; great-grandchildren, Amber Doud and husband, Jon, Cheyenne Best and husband, Dale, Sydney Fisk, Trey Evans, Blackston Fisk,  Shaefer Evans, Eliana Rivas, Wyatt Renfro; great-great grandchildren, Christopher, Jacob and Liam Doud, Dean Best; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.  

The family wishes to thank those from Interim Hospice, who helped care for Blackie.

In lieu of flowers and food, the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Flat, P.O. Box 87 Flat, TX 76526.