Iva Lou (Mosher) Birney, 83, died July 27, 2020 at Western Prairie Senior Living in Ulysses.  She was born on March 3, 1937 in Hopkins County, Texas, the daughter of Roy and Winnie Mae (Crumpler) Mosher.

Iva Lou loved her God and her family.  She graduated from high school in Como, Texas and married Walter Birney shortly after graduation in 1954.  They eventually moved to Copeland, where Iva Lou's passion for teaching about Jesus showed through as a Sunday School teacher, Youth Group leader and she was involved in many other church and community activities.  Iva Lou was also the bookkeeper for the National Missionary Convention for 43 years, where many of the missionaries called her "Smiley".  She also spent many summers at Ashland Christian Service Camp volunteering as a teacher and dorm mom where she was known by all as "Mama Birney".  Her love for cooking and children was also evident as she cooked for the Copeland Schools when her own children were in college.  She also loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and neighboring children that were like her grandchildren.  They were great treasures to her.

Iva Lou is survived by two sons, Mickey Birney of Ellsworth, and Scotty Birney and his wife Kelly of Garden City; two daughters, Lorrie Ortiz of Overland Park, and Lindie Andreas of Copeland; daughter in law, Tammi Birney; as well as 10 grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Walter; both her parents; stepfather, Roy Qualls; two sisters; Beulah Mae Mosher and Ruby Nell (Mosher) Darlin; and one son, Gary L. Birney.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Sublette Christian Church on Saturday, August  1, 2020 at 2:00 PM with Pastor Mickey Birney presiding.  A private family burial will be held at Copeland Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel of Sublette on Friday, July 31, 2020 from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to CICM or Cookson Hills Christian Mission in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.