Cernie was born in Kansas City, MO to Richard Robertson III and Lucerne Miller Robertson.  She was the youngest of three - Suzanne Robertson Poppino and Richard Robertson IV - their mother dying 3 months later.  They were raised in Anthony, KS by grandparents and uncle/aunt, Myron and Katharine Miller.  After graduating from Anthony High School in 1931, she attended Stevens Womens College, Columbia, MO one year;  Kansas University, one year, where she pledged Gamma Phi Beta sorority; and Wichita University for one year.

Cernie returned to Anthony to marry Richard R. Bird on October 14, 1934.  Their three children are:  Julianne Bird Haller (Keith Masterson) of Olathe, KS, Daniel Bird (Beth) of Manhattan, KS, and Rebecca Bird, deceased.  They were married 61 years.  She was active in organizations:  Beta Sigma Phi sorority, Athena Club, Federated Women's Club, Order of the Eastern Star, Martha Vail Chapter DAR, pitch club and bridge club.  She was active in the Grace Episcopal Church in Anthony, KS. Upon moving to the farm in 1944 she was a sewing and cooking teacher in Victory 4-H and helped at Eagle School.  Moving back to town she worked and volunteered.

Cernie was the second person to move into the new Country Living Assisted Living facility when it opened December 2002 and wrote the Country Living Chronicle published in the Anthony Republican for several years.  She has had many friends there, most of whom she knew, including the staff.

Her five grandchildren are: Kelly Haller of Topeka, KS, Darren Haller (Kathy Workman) of Denver, CO, Brett Haller (Sandy) of Overland Park, KS, Lynette Bird of Chandler, AZ, and Marshall Bird (Amber) of Wichita, KS.  Five great-grandchildren are: Whitney Haller and Ben Haller, both of Manhattan, Shelby Duval of St. Petersburg, FL, Delaney Bird of Manhattan and Alea Bird of Wichita.

There will be a visitation with the family from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday, November 12th at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony.

Graveside memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at Forest Park Cemetery in Anthony.

Instead of flowers, the family requests memorial remembrances be made to Country Living Inc. and sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.

"She has simply not dwelt on living a certain number of years, but rather faced and looked forward to each day, one day at a time."