The Obituary of Mrs. Birdseye

Mary Hughes Carmichael Birdseye (newsoforange.com)

Do you ever wonder about what the lives were like of those who are buried in cemeteries? Maybe that's just me. Whenever I walk past a cemetery, especially in historic Charleston, I can't help but wonder what the people there went through!

So, I researched someone who rests in the Circular Congregational Church (I have more info. about this church in another post) whose name was Mary Hughes Carmichael Birdseye (1920-2014). She was a whopping 93 years old when she died not too long ago. Most of those buried in the Circular Congregational Church were from the 1800s, so when I saw that Mary's headstone had 2014 inscribed, I was intrigued. It turns out she was a member at the church so she was able to score a spot in its historic cemetery.

Mary's name is at the bottom right (findagrave.com)

I chose to find out more about Mary's life mostly because her nickname was "Mickey" which is my nickname, too! However, her old age and beautiful portrait also urged me to share about her. The last name "Birdseye" is pretty cool as well. 

Mary was born in Tennessee and graduated from Tusculum College. Her obituary described her as a "homemaker, mother, and supportive wife". She was also a library assistant at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. Her full obituary can be found here. Mary does not have an actual headstone because she was cremated but her ashes have been laid in the Circular Congregational Churchyard. However, the plaque pictured above recognizes her soul. 

Mary's husband, Irving Birdseye (findagrave.com)

Mary married Rev. Irving Earl Birdseye (1919-1974) in 1945. He had also graduated from Tusculum but was from Syracuse, New York. His achievements include earning a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from Union Seminary, becoming a preacher, directing religious and recreational activities at Holston Orphanage, and serving as a pastor at multiple churches. To further his education, he was awarded the Maxwell Fellowship which allowed him to study at the University of North Carolina graduate program where he pursued his Masters in sociology. 

He and Mary were very involved within their churches all throughout their lives. The newspaper article to the left claims that Irving had "outstanding" personality and leadership qualities. It also says that he had much love and sympathy for others and was never one to complain. His death approached knowingly and slowly as he was sick for years and passed away in his hospital bed. He rests in Danville, Kentucky.

Mary's father, Robert Carmichael's WWII draft card (ancestory.com)

I even found some stuff about Mary's father, Robert Marion Carmichael (1896-1943). He was born in Tennessee and died in Dallas, Texas. Above is his WWII draft card. It looks like he wrote his birth date to be June 29 but findagrave.com has his birthday as June 24. I don't know about you, but I am going to trust that Robert knew his birthday and it was actually June 29! He died just a year after writing this draft card. 

It was fascinating finding out about Mary's family and life. She was just an ordinary person but had a whole life just like us which is a weird point of view to think about. More information about Mary's mother, father, and sister can be found on ancestory.com if you have a subscription!