CYNTHIA BICKFORD

Cynthia Anne Bickford, 57, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in her home in El Paso, Texas. Cindy was born to James and Mary Ann Richards on July 29, 1953 in San Pedro, California and was a lifelong resident of El Paso. Cindy was a well-known drummer and played music for more than 40 years. Her friends and family loved to watch her sing and play and she reached countless people with her musical talent. She played local venues with various groups and was with Charlie Russell and The KHEY Band for many years. Cindy never gave up her love for music and was still playing the drums at the time of her death. As a teacher, Cindy touched the hearts and minds of children and fellow educators on a daily basis. Having obtained Bachelors and Masters Degrees from UTEP, she taught elementary school, middle school and Reading Recovery for the Ysleta Independent School District for over 25 years. Cindy gave of her free time selflessly, acting as a Girl Scout leader, UIL coach and after-school tutor. She was admired by her colleagues for her tireless dedication to the children she worked with, stopping at nothing to work as an advocate for her students. Cindy also worked for Region 19 helping to educate reading teachers. In her service to God, Cindy found great joy in sharing her faith and she volunteered her time with the youth group at Abundant Living Faith Center on Wednesday evenings. She ultimately found that using her musical gift in service to the Lord brought her and others immense joy and she began to play the drums in the praise band at a local church, Northeast Bible Fellowship. Cindy’s faith continued to grow on a daily basis and her dedication to the Lord was obvious to everyone around her. Cindy was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her partner, Angelia Rogers and her ex-husband, Brian Bickford; 2 sisters, Lynn Woodruff and Lora Richards; 5 children, Desmond Bickford, Jr., Jennifer Villegas, Clayton Bickford, Trisha Padilla and Jay Rogers; and 11 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to: Northeast Bible Fellowship, 5505 Threadgill, El Paso, Texas, 79924. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast. Please visit on-line register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.