Birdie Estelle Lawrence Kelley Green departed this phase of life on Sunday, November 7, 2021, at Kempsville Health and Rehab Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Birdie was born May 14, 1922, the first-born child of the late John Early Lawrence and Lillian Brockett Lawrence. She was reared in Back Bay Station (Princess Anne County), now known as Virginia Beach. She was educated at Princess Anne County Training School. Being part of a Christian family, Birdie, learned to love the Lord, and she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at a young age. She then joined Little Piney Grove Baptist Church, where she was an active member until she moved to New Jersey.

Birdie travelled and lived in various states, including, New York and Connecticut. While living away, she was employed with the public school system and also worked as a practical nurse. When Birdie returned to Virginia to live, she joined Mount Gilead Baptist Church and was a member for eighteen years. In 1993, while living with her daughter, she joined Turning Point Church. Within church ministries, Birdie served in the Music Ministry, Nursing Ministry, Women’s Ministry and Mother’s Board. Birdie was a member of the Old Fashion Gospel Singers, where she was renowned for singing, “Jesus Is Real To Me,” to the Glory of God. No matter her travels, Birdie never forgot about Little Piney Grove Baptist Church. In her later years, under the administration of Reverend Rashad Cartwright, she reinstated her membership. She was blessed to be the oldest member of the Mother’s Board and the oldest member of the church at large. She attended as often as health and transportation would permit.

Birdie was well known by others because of her grand eruption of shouts and praises to her one true God. She was also known for her love of music and love of people. She would often reveal her thankfulness to God for HIS many blessings, and share her mantra, “I Love Everybody.”

In addition to her parents, Birdie was predeceased by her stepmother, Alice Bell Lawrence, husbands, Otis Kelley and Cleo Green; son, Otis Kelley, Jr.; siblings, Alice Lawrence Owens, Reverend Frank Lawrence, Vivian Lawrence Lewis and John Early Lawrence; daughter-in-law, Catherine Kelley; granddaughter Sonya Kelley Johnson and step grandson Antonio Hayes.

She leaves to cherish precious memories, a daughter, Dorina Kelley Hayes (Minister Ronald Anthony Hayes); two granddaughters, Tonya Kelley Daniels (Melvin) and Ronita Alexis Hayes; two step grandsons, Keith Hayes (Vina) and Reynaldo Hayes, three sisters, Florence Hines, Beatrice Haskins-Vaughan, and Hyacinth Lawrence; two brothers Myron Washington Lawrence and William Preston Lawrence (Janice); four sisters-in-law, Anson Lawrence, Titus Lawrence. Della Lawrence and Mary Lawrence; one brother-in-law Jimmye Ashley; one aunt, Darlene Bell; two supportive great granddaughters, Ramie and Zyah Washington, ten great grandchildren, nine great-great grandchildren, and a host of loving nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends. We miss her now; our hearts are sore. As time goes by, we’ll miss her more. Her loving smile and gentle face, not one on earth can fill her place.