Birde Mae Devers, 82, of Lepanto died April 26, 2006.

Born January 15, 1924 in Bay, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Bulah Howard.

At age 11, Devers confessed her hope in Christ at the First Baptist Church in Alto. She was secretary of the AME Methodist Church in Lepanto until she moved her membership to the First Baptist Church of Lepanto in 1992. She was a faithful member there until her heart failed her.

Devers was preceded in death by her husband, James Edward Devers; two sons: James Roy Devers and Ovester Devers and one daughter, Judy Devers.

Survivors include three sons: Johnny Devers of Kalamazoo, Mich., Ricahrd Devers of Lepanto and Foster Devers of Osceola; six daughters: Georgia Mae Duncan and Floriene Rodgers, both of Kalamazoo, Mich., Birdie Devers of Chicago, Ill, and Estella Joplin, Debra Devers and Vonda Pearson, all of Lepanto; one sister: Merhalie Harris of Memphis, Tenn.; one brother: James Howard of Lepanto; 26 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and a special friend, Katherine Joplin of Lepanto.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 1 at First Baptist Missionary Baptist Church in Lepanto.

Burial followed in Pine Rest Cemetery in Lepanto under the direction of Woodard Funeral Home of Marked Tree.