Margaret Nell Birdwell

Margaret Nell Birdwell, 89, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 6, 2022. At the age of 10, she accepted Christ as her savior and was baptized at the First Methodist Church in Farmersville.

In a statement of personal testimony, Nell wrote: "If I were to die today and stand before God, He would let me into heaven because God in His infinite wisdom knew that I was born a sinner, and He provided a plan of salvation. I praise God for his son, Jesus Christ."

Born in Floydada, Texas, to W. Mark DeHart and Beulah Cummings DeHart, on Jan. 24, 1933, Nell and her sister, Evelyn, grew up in Farmersville in the care of their Uncle John and Aunt Dovie Snyder, following the death of their mother when Nell was still an infant. Nell credited her "Ma and Pa Snyder" with teaching her the morals and rules of Christian living and as an influence in bringing her to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

While attending high school, Nell participated in Pep Squad, Drum Corps and Concert Choir and was a class reporter for the newspaper. She was also active in the Methodist Youth Fellowship at the First Methodist Church.

She met her future sweetheart, Don Birdwell, a veteran of World War II, at a party held on a farm. Don never forgot the girl he'd met that evening, and soon launched a persistent, but charming and respectful campaign to win Nell's heart. They promised Ma and Pa that they would wait to marry until Nell graduated from high school; they honored that commitment and were wed on June 18, 1950.

Don and Nell made their first home in a small Dallas apartment, but by January 1951, they purchased a new house in Pleasant Grove. Their first child, Donell, was born Nov. 1, 1951, and their son, Gary, was born Oct. 1, 1954.

While Don settled into working for Otis Engineering (which later became Halliburton), Nell was a stay-at-home mom. The family was active in Pleasant Mound Methodist Church, Cub Scouts (she was a den mother), Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, church baseball teams, high school Bible classes and many other community, school, and church activities. 

Nell enjoyed singing the old gospel hymns and shared her natural talent for and love of music with Donell and Gary.

With her children almost grown, Nell enrolled in cosmetology school in 1969 and then owned and operated the Skeeterette Beauty Bar in Mesquite. After that venture into business, she enrolled in Eastfield Dallas County Community College in 1975, then transferred to East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University-Commerce), where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and was a member of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges. Later, she earned her real estate license and worked as a realtor in the Dallas area.

Nell loved her family and doted on her two grandsons, Russell and Robbie. She was never afraid to hop on the back of a motorbike or take a ride in a convertible to enjoy her time with them. 

Don and Nell lived in their first house for 44 years. Following his retirement in 1990, they designed and built her dream home in Balch Springs, which became the center of many happy family gatherings. Nell and her lifelong sweetheart marked their successful marriage by celebrating with 50th and 60th wedding anniversary parties.

Nell wrote: "Don has been my best friend and loving partner for over 60 years. Young people have wondered how a couple can remain married for so many years. The answer is to ask God to lead you to the right person. God wants His children to make Christian homes, so that their children will be exposed to righteous living."

Nell was preceded in death by her husband, Don Birdwell, and by her daughter, Donell Birdwell Youngblood.

Survivors are her sister, Evelyn Fain; Donell's husband, David Youngblood; grandson, Russell Youngblood, his wife, Tiffany, and their sons, Jace and Troy; son, Gary Birdwell and his wife, Jeannie; grandson, Robbie Birdwell; and many other beloved family members and friends.

Visitation is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13 at New Hope Funeral Home, Sunnyvale, Texas.

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