NEW MADRID - Emma Faye Bledsoe Baird, 85, died Feb. 14, 2006, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.
Born Nov. 8, 1920, in Matthews, daughter of the late Samuel H. and Faye Brooks Bledsoe, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church in New Madrid for more than 50 years and served in many capacities including president of the Women's Society. She was a certified Lay Speaker of the church, active in assisting her late husband while he served as District Lay Leader of the Sikeston-Poplar Bluff District for which they received the Lu Miller Award for UMC Lay Speaking in 1997. She was a 50-year member of Chapter 293 of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron and other chairs. She was also president of the New Madrid Women's Club, in which she was active for many years.
On Dec. 7, 1942, in Morley, she married Francis M. Baird, who preceded her in death in 2004, this union lasting 61 years.
Two brothers, Samuel H. Bledsoe Jr. and James Franklin Bledsoe, who both served in the United States Navy, also preceded her in death.
Survivors include: one son, William F. Baird of Nashville, Tenn.; two grandsons, William Travis Baird and his wife, Andrea, of Venice, Calif., and Stephen Cook Baird and his wife, Heather, of Nashville; two stepgranddaughters, Zoe Crouse and Sally Crouse of Atlanta; along with many other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid.
Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church in New Madrid with the Rev. Jack Ketcher officiating.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery at New Madrid.
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Memorial Contributions
may be made to:
Francis and Emma Baird
Scholarship Fund
First United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 187
New Madrid, MO 63869
Paid Obituary