A service to honor the life of Mrs. Mary Tate Birdwell will be at 2 pm Sunday, January 13, 2019, at Jennings Chapel Congregational Methodist Church in the Bethany Community, LA with Butch Bruce, Clyde Miley and Chris Birdwell officiating. Burial will follow at Bethany Cemetery under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. The family will receive friends after 5 pm on Saturday the 12th at Jennings Chapel located at 368 Hwy 1221, Marthaville, LA 71450. Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Chris Birdwell, Leighton Kniffin, Trey Carney, Keith Birdwell, Marlon Birdwell, Mark Birdwell, and Mott Birdwell. Musical selections are to be presented by Becky Birdwell Kniffin and Steve Birdwell. Mary, 84 years of age and a resident of Marthaville, passed away Thursday, January 10, 2019, in Shreveport, LA. She was born on February 23, 1934, to Virgil and Linnie (Kennerly) Tate in Anniston, AL. She was preceded in death by her husband Wilmer Birdwell; parents, Virgil and Linnie Tate; a sister, Juanita McNeal; and brothers, Lawrence Tate, Harold Tate, and Thomas Tate. She is survived by her children, Mike Birdwell and wife Tonia, Brenda Birdwell, Kathy Birdwell, and Becky Birdwell Kniffin and husband Lyle; grandchildren, Misti Birdwell, Chris Birdwell, Meagan Carney, and Leighton Kniffin; as well as 6 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.