Obituary of Elma Joy Bird

Elma Joy Bird, 70, of West Scranton, died Saturday morning at Community Medical Center. Born in Scranton, on May 19, 1939, she was daughter of the late Thomas R. and Mary Gaul Phillips. She was a life long member of the Jackson Street Baptist Church. Her family was the center of her life, cherishing each moment, giving unconditional love and spending time with them. Elma was a wonderful cook, baker and enjoyed to play bingo. Each year she and her sisters would bake Christmas cookies for the entire family. The needs of others always came first and she had the ability to sense these needs and do what she could for family, friends and casual acquaintances. Her family and many friends will dearly miss her. Surviving are five children, Cynthia J. Mickavicz and husband, Michael; Diane H. Young and companion Bruce; Bob P. Bird and wife Sandi, all of Scranton; Colleen R. Martin and husband Stephen, Spring Brook Twp.; Sherri A. Sable and husband, James, Scranton; twenty-one grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; a brother Howard Phillips, New Jersey; a sister Dee Hambrick, Kunkletown; her former husband Robert P. Bird, Scranton; many nieces and nephews. A son Paul Robert, on May 25, 1985 and several brothers and sisters preceded her in death. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10 in the Semian Funeral Home, 704 Union St., Taylor with services by the Rev. Kory Houser, pastor, Jackson Street Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Friends may call Tuesday 5-8. Memorial contributions maybe made to the American Diabetes Association, 65 E. Elizabeth Ave., Suite 502, Bethlehem, PA 18018 Please visit semiancares.com to share memories or extend condolences. Read Elma Bird's Obituary and Guestbook on www.semiancares.com.