BIOGRAPHY

Birdsall was born in Hampton, Iowa, USA, on 26 July 1908. She was one of eight children born to parents Henry Otis Beed (1872–1958) and Grace Elma Ross (1874–1950). After graduating high school, she attended college for one year and then began teaching in a rural country school outside Hampton. She taught for four years before going to work for Earl Ferris Nursery in Hampton, Iowa.

On 26 May 1932, she married Kenneth Ray Birdsall in Hampton. They moved to Ottumwa during WWII to open a tire store. Business was good until it was ruined in the flood of 1947. In 1948, the couple moved to a farm outside Floris, Iowa. They had three children: Kay Chickering, David and Larry. In 1950, she became a postmaster in Floris and held that position until her retirement in 1978. After retirement, the couple traveled to many Postmaster conventions throughout the United States (including Hawaii, Boston, San Francisco, New York, and Puerto Rico). Her husband passed away in June 1987.

Birdsall passed away in Ottumwa, Iowa, USA, on 17 August 2018, at the age of 110. She was survived by three children, 13 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren, and 48 great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Fabrizio Villatoro, and validated by LongeviQuest on 17 July 2023.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Celma Ann “Sally” Beed Birdsall” – FindAGrave

* “Centenarian Shares Life and Advice with Evans Class” – Ottumwa Community School District, 23 May 2014

* “Birdsall celebrates 109 years” – Ottumwa Courier, 21 July 2017

* “Obituary for Celma “Sally” Birdsall” – Wagler Funeral Home

GALLERY