Biography: Birdie Lee Charlton was born April 16, 1930 in Savannah, Georgia to the late Archie and Alice Staton-Charlton.  Birdie was the youngest of the three sisters who included, Nettie Robinson and Josephine Small who preceded her in death. Birdie graduated from Tompkins High School in Savannah, Georgia in 1949. Birdie met and married the late George Thomas Jr. and from this union two sons were born: Alfonso (preceded in death) and Nathaniel.
 
Birdie moved to New York in 1954. She held a variety of positions before accepting a position at Lord and Taylor in 1960. In 1983 Birdie met and married Joseph Martin (preceded). Birdie worked at Lord and Taylor for 30 years finally retiring in the fall of 1990.
 
Along with her sisters, Birdie joined Greater Central Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Charles Roosevelt Walker where she served on the female usher board. Birdie attended Greater Central until her health began to fail. During the last five years, her health worsened. She was called home on January 29, 2019 after a prolonged illness.
 
Birdie leaves to cherish her memory: a loving son, Nathaniel Thomas; nephew, Conrad Charlton (Shirley); one niece/goddaughter, Jacqueline Small-Williams; one niece, Valencia Barnes; two great-nephews, Lamar Charlton and Paul Williams; two great-nieces, Octavia Grissom (Charles) and Oni Jordan; two great-great-nephews, James and Ramesses; one great-great niece, Alaysha; lifelong friend, Lottie Canton-Bayly and daughter, Charlie Mae Shields; one goddaughter, Kiamesha Barton; a devoted caretaker Annette Watson; and a host of other relatives and friends.