On Tuesday, February 8, 2022, Verna Earl (V.E.) Birkhead went to be with his Lord and Savior. He was a member of Missionary Baptist Church, Paducah, Tx.
“Sonny” was born on June 25, 1931, in Swearingen, Texas, to Walter J. and Annie May Birkhead. He attended school at Broadmoor School in Cottle County and Paducah Schools and quit to labor on the family farm. He had an older sister Myrtle Ruth, younger sisters Ruby, and Mary Etta. He was in the Marine Corps from 1949 until 1952. He married Willie Mae Whittington on March 3, 1951, in Paducah, Texas. Out of their union they had two daughters, Barbara and Carolyn, and a son, Dennis.
Verna worked at the Texaco for the Archer’s for years, then began working at Texas Department of Transportation for 34 years, he retired in 1993. He enjoyed working on his farm and with his cows for many years.
After the death of his wife Willie May, Verna then married Esta Mae Bryant. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, two sisters Ruby Tucker of Odessa, and Mary Etta Smith and Donald of Crowley, Tx., a daughter Carolyn Slover and husband Donnie of Paducah, a son Dennis Birkhead and wife Andrea of Amarillo. Four stepsons, Troy Bryant and wife Debbie of Arlington, Tx., John Bryant and wife Debbie of Jacksonville, Tx, Robert Bryant of Levelland, Tx, and George Bryant and wife Kay of Vernon, Tx. A stepdaughter Carmen Holley of Paducah. A special great grandson Jacob Lecroy that helped care for him, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great-grandchildren, in which they all called him “PePa”, nieces and nephews.
Verna was preceded in death by his father Walter J. Birkhead, and mother, Annie Birkhead, a baby sister Unita Birkhead, a sister Myrtle Ruth Boyette, a brother-in-law Carroll Tucker, of Odessa, a daughter Barbara Davis, a granddaughter Stacie Davis, son in law Jimmy Davis, and a step-son-in law Regan Holley.
Donations may be made to Paducah Cemetery Assn. and Missionary Baptist Church.