Birdie Bell Handy was born on May 27, 1927, to Nannie Lee Johnson and Solom Kelly of Cotton Creek. Birdie Bell and her twin Bonnie Bell never knew their mother, as a result of her passing the day after they were born.

Birdie Bell grew up and attended a small school that stood where Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church now stands. She accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Pleasant Grove Methodist Church under the guidance of Rev. Buckley. For Birdie Bell, church was a place of hope and strength.

Birdie Bell later met and married I.V. Handy and started a family which blessed them with three children; Bobby, James and Willie Lee. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and nurturing grandmother.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, Nannie Lee and Solom; her husband, I.V. Handy; her siblings, Bea, Bonnie, James, Marie and Brevet; her daughter, Willie Lee and grand -daughter, Felicia. She leaves to mourn, her two sons, James (Clara) and Bobby (Mildred); seven grandchildren, Carla (Louis), Donna, Craig (Melanie), Michelle (Larry), Paula (Brett), Anita (David), Melinda (Jeremy); nine great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews and friends