Memorial services for Dorothy Marie Miller Birdwell, 84, of Chandler, were at 10:30 a.m. on May 14, 2010, at Lake Palestine United Methodist Church under the direction of Burks Walker Tippit Funeral directors with Rev. Richard Prather officiating.

Mrs. Birdwell died May 10, 2010, in Chandler after a long illness. She had lived in Chandler most of her life. She was a homemaker, retired bookkeeper, artist and poet, having published several books.

She was a member of Lake Palestine United Methodist Church and active with the Southern Angels, and was the church historian. She was also a member of Poets of East Texas, Poetry Society of Texas, Rusk County Poetry Society and the National Federation of State Poetry Societies.

Mrs. Birdwell was born March 2, 1926, in Watertown, Ohio, to Ivan F. and Jennie Laughridge Miller. She graduated from Waterford High School in Waterford, Ohio, in 1944 and worked in Columbus, Ohio, until 1953 when she moved to Texas.

She married W.T. Birdwell on June 8, 1956, and they made their home on his home place south of Chandler. She was preceded in death by her husband on Oct. 26, 1985. She was also preceded in death by her parents; brother, John F. Miller; and sister-in-law, Margie Price Miller.

She is survived by two nieces, Emily Miller Boxler and husband, Rob, of Akron, Ohio, Diane king of Franklin, Tenn.; a nephew, Stanley Miller and wife, Patty, of Fredericktown, Ohio; sister-in-law, Alberta Miller of Franklin, Tenn.; and one grandniece and two grandnephews; as well as a host of friends.

Memorials may be made to Lake Palestine United Methodist Church, 2889 FM 315 S., Chandler, TX 75758.