Leota Ona Birth

Leota Ona Berkstresser Birth died peacefully on Monday, April 8, 2024 in Weatherford, at the age of 97.

Funeral Service:  11 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2024 in White’s Chapel of Memories, 130 Houston Avenue, Weatherford.

Interment:  Memory Gardens of the Valley, 5600 Mineral Wells Hwy., Weatherford.

Leota was born on June 23, 1926 in Gray, Oklahoma to Irving and Bessie Berkstresser. She married Robert Lee Birth on December 30, 1944 after moving to Palo Alto, California.  Leota worked at a local movie theater selling and taking tickets.  After Dad finished his Navy tour of duty, they moved to Denton, where he pursued his trade of sign making.  In 1953, they then moved to Midland where they started Permian Signs & Neon Company. Leota worked as the secretary for the business, which is still operating to this day.  In the 1980’s the business was sold and their retirement years began.  Most of retirement was spent at their cabin in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, where there were endless games of golf, Skip-Bo and 42, with nearby friends.

Leota enjoyed cross stitching, doing crosswords, and looked forward to the daily Wheel of Fortune TV show.   She loved spending quality time with her grandchildren.  Her Fridays were strictly off limits to everything except her hairdresser appointment!   When they were not at their cabin, Bob and Leota were found traveling to visit family.  She was a beautiful lady who will dearly be missed by all who knew and loved her.  

Leota was a founding member of The Gardendale Church of Christ in Gardendale, Texas.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee Birth; one brother; and three sisters.

Leota is survived by her two children, James I. Birth and wife, Shelia, and Robert W. Birth and wife, Nancy; four grandchildren, Tiffany Cockburn and husband, Brad, Chelsey Patterson and husband, John, Brandon Birth and wife, Torcis, and Brett Birth and wife, Airel; six great-grandchildren, Taylor Cockburn, Baylee Cockburn, Addy Patterson, Nash Patterson, Claire Birth, and Briella Birth; and loving caregiver, Kati Suber