Raymond Birmingham, 78, of Piggott died on Sunday, April 30, 2006, in the Piggott Community Hospital.

He was born April 7, 1928, in Greenville, Mo., the son of the late John Riley and Flossie King Birmingham.

He was united in marriage to Betty Crossno on Oct. 2, 1948. They had three children. She preceded him in death on July 20, 2005.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, J.L. Birmingham.

He is survived by three children, Marcia Williams and companion, Don Pool, of Batesville, Dale Birmingham of Cheyenne, Wyo., and David Birmingham and wife, Sherry, of Batesville; five grandchildren, Ashleigh Williams, Lindsey Birmingham, Josh Birmingham, Bari Ladd and Morgan Long; two great-grandchildren, Daecia and Andre; one brother, Carl Birmingham of Piggott; two sisters, Frances Gibson of Piggott and Mary Lee Stinebrook of Belleville, Ill.; a very special friend, Peggy Johnson; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday (today), May 3, 2006, in the First Christian Church with Duane Dutka and Nathan Martin officiating. Burial will be in the Gravel Hill Cemetery in St. Francis. Active pallbearers will be Travis Cashion, Josh Birmingham, Tony Adair, Jerry Williams, Kenneth Ruhl and Leon Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Morgan, Kenny Parker, Dallas Patterson, H.A. Wellman, Tony Crittenden and Vernon Noles.

Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home of Piggott is in charge of the arrangements.