September 23, 1944 – January 11, 2024

Our Beloved Matriarch 

Lorene Samuel Bird was born September 23, 1944, in Kountze, Texas to Houston and Cleo Benjamin Samuel. She was a graduate of the 1964 Class of George Washington Carver High, located in Kountze, Texas.  Lorene accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age.

Following graduation from high school, her older sister, Ivy, suggested she move to the city. Lorene packed her luggage and was on her way to the big city of Houston, TX.  Upon relocating to Houston, TX, Lorene became a member of the Rock of Salvation Holiness Church where she served on the church’s usher board. Lorene had a beautiful voice and enjoyed the gift of music, often worshipping the Lord in song. Lorene earned her certification as a Nurse Aide and spent her career providing private home health care services to the elderly. 

Several years after moving from Kountze, TX to Houston, TX, Lorene met and married Joseph Sidney Page, Jr., in 1971. During this union they were blessed with three children: Joseph Sidney Page, III, Rita Ann Page and Loretha Marie Page and seven grandchildren Imaan Amar Doze, Paige Alexis Braggs, Kevin Christopher Braggs, Haile Marie Alexander, Kennedi Page, Raygen Page and Marcellus Page.

After the two divorced, Lorene met and married Frank Bird, in 1999. The wedding was held in a small chapel in Las Vegas, NV. This union formed a beautiful, blended family with an outward visualization of a loving Christ-Centered marriage. Lorene and Frank were truly each other’s best friends and enjoyed spending time with their family, going to church and traveling to Florida and California to visit their kids and grandkids. Lorene made it a priority to keep in touch with her many nieces and nephews. It was not uncommon for them to receive a random text from Aunt Lorene. 

Lorene had a joyous personality and infectious smile. She brightened every room she walked into exemplifying the light of Christ while sharing a message of hope to those she encountered.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Houston and Cleo Samuel, seven sisters; Mary Henderson, Vallie Mae Howard, Ivy Samuel Bennett, Irma Lee Haynes, Betty Mae Singleton, Lillie Mae Samuel and Annie Lee Samuel; three brothers, J.B. Samuel, Charlie B. Samuel, Freddie Samuel. 

She leaves to cherish her memories, her loving husband of 25 years, Frank Bird; two brothers Houston Samuel (Ruby), J.C. Samuel (Lisa); one brother-in-love Richard Bird (Mary); one sister-in-love, Cynthia Page Randle (Ira); two daughters Rita Ann Page and Loretha Marie Page; son Joseph Sidney Page, III (Karen); three bonus sons John Bird (Melly), Mark Bird (Alejandra); Jeff Bird (Patricia); two bonus daughters Mary Bird; Melanie Wright (Johnny); seven grandchildren ImaanAmar Doze, Paige Alexis Braggs, Kevin Christopher Braggs, Haile Marie Alexander, Kennedi Page, Raygen Page and Marcellus Page; twenty bonus grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.