The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1922-02-22
Robert Burton Bird.

His illness was SO brief that
| many of the close friends of the
family did not know of it until
they heard that he had passed
away.
Robert was the third child OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles T.. Bird, of
Big Stone Gap. He was born
on September %, 1908. He wac
Il handsome little fellow us a
child, and attracted much at
tentiDn when on the street be-
cause of his quiet manners and
his beautiful hair. From Il
child his diguiiied demeanor
was n decided characteristic of
his life, and was observed by
all who knew him. Among his
companions, he was IL real boy
loved and admired by all. His
school career and record in his
studies were especially com
mendable. lie was ready for
the high school aud entered the
first years work last fall before
he passed his thirteenth birth
day. His teachers testify that
he performed his school duties
very faithfully. He mustefed
his studies with determination
and earnestness, aud locke up
on the matter of securing an
education az of utmost iInpor-
tahce In his home, on the
streets of the town, on the cam
pus of the public school and in
the class room, his conduct was
always exemplary. When these
things can be truthfully said Of
IA boy in his thirteenth Year, it
rs very evident that he must
have possessed unusual quail
Ties of heart and mind. Several
years ago Robert made public
profession OF his faith in thu.
Lord Jesus Christ, and united
with the Methodist Episcopal
church, South, OF the Gap His
pastor and his Sunday school
teacher testify that he was very
faithful III the performance Of
his religious duties.
He was stricken with intlu-
enXa abnut two weeks before
his death, but was soon out
again, and had resumed his du-
ties at school. On Tuesday he
suffered "A very serious relapse
Which rapidly developed into
acute i}righrs disease, and in
spite of everything that love
and medical skill could do for
his relief, he fell asleep about
six O'Clock on Friday morning.
This was exactly one week after
he went out for the first time
after recovering from the at
tack of influenza. During this
last illness he suffered a great
deal, but through it all lie re-
remained quiet and patient.
No one heard a word of com
plant from him. He is surviv.
ed by his parents, two brothers
and one sister.
The funeral services were con
Quoted from the NJ. f. Church,
South, on Saturday afternoon
ut Two O'Clock by his pastor,
Rev. X G. Reynolds, assisted
by Rev. James Nj. Smith, of the
Presbyterian church. The au-
ditorium was filled to overflow
ing with sorrowing friends, and
many beautiful floral designs
bore silent testimony to the love
and esteem of sympathizing
friends for this manly boy.
The following classmates
served as active pail bearers:
Junior Gilly, Chnrlea Rogers,
Russell Salyer, Gilmer Orender,
Leonard Garrison, Frank Pot
ter, Joe Little and Robert Ma
hatfey.
The interment was made in
Glencoe cemetery.
Mr. aud Mrs. Bird and their
children have the effectionate
sympathy of our entire commu
nifty in their sudden b,4reave
ment- The boys and girls of the
town have had the privilege Of
association with Il splendid boy,
whose character should be an
inspiration to them for the fu.
tilre.