Darlene Birkes

SERVICES: Memorial services will be at 11:00 AM Thursday, September 22, 2011, at First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Blossom Matthews, pastor, and John Curry, officiating. BURIAL: Private burial will be in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mrs. Birkes was born March 30, 1932 in Topeka, Kansas to Dr. Ervin and Thelma Prouse. Darlene graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA, BJ, and MA degrees in English, journalism and history. She taught at Blinn College in Brenham, Pampa ISD and White Deer ISD. She married Wallace Birkes on November 3, 1956 at the University Methodist Church in Austin. The couple's first home was in Aschaffenburg, Germany, where Wallace was stationed with the U. S. Artillery. Darlene served as president of several Pampa organizations, including Pampa Retired Teachers, United Methodist Women, D.A.R., Pampa Foundation for Outdoor Art, Pampa Fine Arts, Quivira Girl Scout Council, and Girl Scout Troop 90 leader.As chairman of the Gray County Historical Commission since 1986, she researched many Texas Historical Commission markers, including markers comprising Pampa's National Register of Historic Places District. She chaired the Gray County Texas Sesquicentennial event in 1986, the Gray County Centennial in 2002, and the relocation and preservation of the Pioneer Cottage, a Centennial project.She served on the Altrusa Board, Clarendon College-Pampa Center Foundation, was a member and historian of the First United Methodist Church, editor of FOCUS quarterly magazine, co-editor of the "Gray County Heritage" history book, and directed the "Gray County Adventure" video-DVD. She edited the Gray County Cookbook in 1982, helped design the Pampa postcards and helped orchestrate Chautauqua for many years.For over 15 years, she served as the area volunteer coordinator for the AFS student exchange program. The Birkes family hosted AFS students Ana Losilla of Costa Rica and Nadia Jouridova of Latvia.She was Pampa's Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1982, received the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Golden Nail and Golden Touch awards, Alpha Gamma Delta Epsilon Pi award, Girl Scout Woman of Distinction area honor, and Pampa's Artist of the Year in 2005. SURVIVORS: husband: Wallace Birkes of the home; daughter: Cheryl Birkes Smith and husband Mike of New Braunfels; son: Dean Birkes and wife Johnna of Amarillo; AFS exchange students: Anna Losilla of Costa Rica and Nadia Jouridova of Latvia; sister: Dr. Ruth Morgan of Dallas; 5 grandchildren: Travis Smith and Clay Smith, both of New Braunfels, Jake Birkes, Andy Birkes and Lexi Summers, all of Amarillo; and special care giver: Cathy Quezada. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother: E. D. Prouse. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clarendon College-Pampa Center Foundation, 1601 W. Kentucky, Pampa, Texas 79065, AFS Pampa Chapter, 2111 Dogwood, Pampa, Texas, or First United Methodist Church Building Program, P.O. Box 1981, Pampa, Texas 79066-1981.