Jerry Birge

Published 12:00 am Saturday, August 22, 2009

Jerry Lee Birge, 69, passed away Wed., Aug. 19, 2009, at the Florala Hospital after a lengthy illness.
He was born Oct. 6, 1939, in Lockhart, the son of the late Roland Birge and Mattie Adams Birge. He resided in the North Creek community and was a member of Red Oak Baptist Church. He was a mechanic for the textile industry with Franklin Ferguson for 10 years and Covington Industries for 30 years.
Throughout his life he was involved in the volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad, the Lions Club, the Masonic Lodge and June 24th Celebration, Alcazar Shriners and Eastern Star.
Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Ruth Birge; sons, Jeff (Julie) Birge and Kevin (Glenda) Birge, all of Opp; daughter, Dana (Allen) Cowart of Gantt; stepson, Randy (Cathy) Holtz of Florala; stepdaughters, Rosann (Al) Stephens of Ashburn, Ga., and Robin (Ron) Peterson of Daphne; brothers, Clearottis “Bud” Birge of Columbia, S.C., Jack (Betty) Birge of Crestview, Fla., Eugene (Reba) Birge of Lockhart and Mike (Debbie) Birge of Florala; sisters, Dianne (Robert) Bruce and Linda Lee, all of Panama City, Fla.; and 11 grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Otis Birge and wife Pearl.
Funeral services will be held today at Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Clyde Northrop and the Rev. Eugene Meadows officiating. Interment will follow in the North Creek Cemetery.