Virginia Irene Baird

Virginia Irene King Baird, age 91, of Williford, Arkansas, died peacefully in her sleep on February 13, 2015, at EagleCrest Nursing and Rehab Center in Ash Flat, Arkansas. She was born April 1, 1923, to Moses Price King and Bertha Pearl Wilson King. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to all who knew her. She was a member of the Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Chester Baird, and eight brothers and sisters. Irene took pleasure in growing flowers and feeding her family from her own vegetable garden, often freezing or canning her produce for year-round cooking. She enjoyed sewing dresses for her granddaughters and making quilts for family and friends. Irene supported the local school by baking pies and cookies for fundraisers, bringing top dollar for her raisin pies. Irene had a kitchen that never closed, from breakfast to start the day, to lunch on the school steps, or a pre-game meal for the entire basketball team. She was known as “Grandma” by many. Survivors include her sister Pearly Hirsch of Ravenden, Arkansas; two brothers, Willie King of Illinois and Luther King of Pocahontas, Arkansas; two sons, Charles Baird (Kaye) of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and C.C. Baird (Patsy) of Williford, Arkansas; seven grandchildren, Charlotte Jackson of White Hall, Arkansas, Peggy Duncan of Winter Garden, Florida, Sheree Baird of Little Rock, Arkansas, Cathy Bales of Maumelle, Arkansas, Jeanette Thornhill of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Patricia Sanzone of Bristol, Connecticut, and Dan Baird of Searcy, Arkansas; 14 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be Sunday, February 15, 2015, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Tri-County Funeral Home in Highland, Arkansas. Funeral services will begin Monday, February 16, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. at the Bettis Church of Christ near Center, Arkansas, with Charles and C.C. Baird officiating. Burial will follow in the Opposition Cemetery located in Ravenden, Arkansas. All arrangements are with Tri-County Funeral Home of Highland.