Birdie Mae Knight Overstreet Bearss was born August 1, 1916 in Segno, Texas to John Henry Knight and Cecil Annie Carroll Knight. She had one brother, Raymond Knight and wife, Elfriede Knight, who preceded her in death.
She married A.B. Overstreet May 5, 1940 and had one daughter, Dianna Sue Overstreet Robinson, and one son, Arlin Bruce (Butch) Overstreet. A.B. died in October 1985. She then married Vernon Bearss in August 1994. Vernon died in December 2006. Birdie lost her son, Butch on February 26, 1999. She is survived by her daughter, Dianna and husband, Jerry Robinson of Livingston, Texas, and grandchildren, Kristan Overstreet, David Keith Robinson and wife Susan of Round Rock, Texas; Kenneth Robinson and wife Janell of Conroe, Texas; Kathi Richards and husband T.J. Richards of Conroe, Texas; Karyn Robinson of Houston, Texas. She had 10 great grandchildren; Ashley Robinson Pohl and husband Jared; Reagan, Payton, Nicholas, Joshua and Savannah Richards; Blake Lee, Cassie Connelly and Kaleb Robinson, and Christopher Connelly. Who preceded her in death. She has a step-daughter, Vernette Bearss of Conroe, Texas. She has several nieces and nephews and cousins and dear friends.
Birdie Mae graduated from Big Sandy High School in 1934. Big Sandy was not accredited at that time so she had to go to Livingston High School to finish her credits to go to college. After graduation, she worked in the Capital at Austin for Representative Edgar Loggins and some of the Governor also. She went to college, and after finishing, she moved back to Segno to work for the contractor, D.B. Evans who was the contractor building the new school. After the school was built she was hired as Mr. Burkett's secretary and to substitute teach. She eloped with A.B. in Louisiana and kept it a secret as married women could not teach. The rule was married men and single women. So, when they got back and she went to work on Monday morning, Mr. Burkett asked her, “What is this I hear?” He had found out she was married. She to this day does not know how he found out. So, she worked the rest of the month till school was out and then had to quit as she was married. Mr. Loggins, the Representative, got her a job at the Indian Village working for the white Chief. She worked there until Dianna was born in May 1941. After working at the shipyard in Houston, they came back to Segno. They had A.B. Overstreet's cafe. In 1955 Dianna moved to Houston to go to High School and shortly thereafter, she and then A.B. moved and worked there. After that she went to Beauty School (Cosmetology School) and made an instructor. They moved back to Segno later and she opened a beauty shop. After that she closed it and moved to North Carolina with A.B. They traveled working for Brown & Root in several states and finally retired in Rosenberg, Texas, and moved back to Segno.
She became Church Clerk in 1978 for Magnolia Hill Baptist Church and remained until her death. Birdie Mae loved her church and never missed unless ill.
She was the bookkeeper for her son-in-law's business and her grandson's business from 1975 until she turned 98. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She loved to cook & always enjoyed someone came to visit. When living in Segno they followed the Big Sandy basketball team everywhere they went and supported them. She loved supporting them all the way to the state playoffs.
She is the last of the pioneers of our family. She has hunted and killed deer and squirrels and fished and cleaned and cut up the meat. She loved fresh vegetables and appreciated all the ones who brought her fresh vegetables when she was unable to raise her own anymore.
She loved to go to Old Friends and New Friends; Senior Citizens Lunches; singing’s and was very active. She loved visiting until she was unable and loved to send birthday cards. She always wanted her bills paid early or on time. She was a “straight shooter”. There were no pretends with her. She had the gift of hospitality and never met a stranger. Her love language was “work”. However, she loved to have fun and laugh. She made our family fun and can never be replaced. We look forward to being with her one day in Heaven. We will miss her so much until then. |
