Birdalee "Memaw" Churchwell

Birdalee Churchwell of Whitmer, West Virginia passed away on August 9, 2020, after a long illness.  She was 86 years old.  She was born in September, 1933 to the late John and Mami Rider.  When she left West Virginia and made her way to Washington, D.C., she worked as a waitress, met and married musician James Churchwell, Sr.  Together they settled in Maryland, opening a home improvement business, where she became a part-time contractor and a full-time mother of seven. Later, she would operate a boarding house and a nursing registry. Our beloved mother and memaw had an amazing creative ability and a love for crafts.  She worked many hours creating beautiful works of art which she delighted in gifting to family and friends. An avid reader, she would often read as many as ten books a week.  She loved country music and was devoted to her family, collecting more than 10,000 family photos. Her love and devotion will forever be imprinted on our hearts.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Churchwell is predeceased by her husband, James Churchwell, Sr., son James Churchwell, Jr., grandson Justin David Churchwell and siblings, John Rider, Jr., Betty Jane and Bernice Eleanor Rider of Whitmer, Virginia.

Left to cherish her memory are her children; Linda (Allan) Brady of Virginia, Katherine Churchwell, Rosemarie (Gerardo) Jimenez- Rosales, David Churchwell, John (Brenda) Churchwell and Matthew (Janet) Churchwell, of Maryland; grandchildren, John, III (Melissa) Mooneyhan, Nicholas (Angela) Mooneyhan, Christopher Mooneyhan, Travis Mooneyhan, Melinda Mooneyhan, Steven Churchwell, Adam (Elizabeth) Churchwell, Cheyenne Churchwell (Cristian Tejada), John Michael (Kate) Churchwell, Kevin Churchwell (Samantha Rawls), Logan (Katelyn) Churchwell, Brandi Churchwell (Ed Carney), Elaine Michelle Irons, April Panholzer, Amanda Churchwell, Jason Churchwell, David Churchwell Jr., Thomas Churchwell of Maryland, Daniel Churchwell (Gabi Hughes), Megan (Michael) Judge of Pennsylvania and Tommy Baldwin (Tracy Carper) of West Virginia and great-grandchildren; Makala, Tyler, Baylee, Brice, Blake, Micah, Maddox Mooneyhan, Ariana, Jack, David, III, George, Jeanine, Benjamin, Jackson and Brayden Churchwell of Maryland; Joseph JJ Oldham of Maryland and  TJ, Jordon, Cody Baldwin of West Virginia, Tristan Balin- Mooneyhan, and Lucas Dudley.

Due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic, services will be private.  Please feel free to express your condolences and share your memories of Ms. Churchwell with her family on our tribute wall.

In lieu of flowers you may make donations to the National Cancer Society, or a local Cancer Research organization of your choice.

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