Birdie Luella (McFarland) Helton, 94, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Friday (April 18, 2014) at Kirksville Manor Care Center.

The daughter of Charles and Mary (Moots) McFarland, she was born December 21, 1919 in Novinger, Missouri. On March 2, 1938 in Kirksville, Missouri, Birdie was united in marriage to Okel Homer Helton who preceded her in death on February 6, 1994.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; one son, Donnie Lee Helton; one granddaughter, Paula Marie Rollins; four brothers, Virgil, Carl, Cecil and Clyde McFarland, and two sisters, Fannie McFarland and Daisy Adams.

Birdie is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Gerald and Lois Helton and Gene Helton all of Brashear, MO; one daughter, Pauline Lawson of Kirksville, MO; four grandsons, Kenny Burns, Jerry Helton, Robert Helton and Brian Helton as well as several nieces and nephews.

Birdie lived most of her life in Adair County and received her education in the Bald Knob rural school. She was employed for Vance Frick and Lou Cottey before going to work at Hollister, Inc. where she worked until her retirement.

She enjoyed flowers, sewing and gardening.

Birdie was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church of Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday (April 22, 2014) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Robert Fredricks officiating. Interment will follow the service at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday (April 22, 2014) for one hour before the service in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Birdie Helton may be made to Alzheimer’s Association. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.