Lois Baird Holland

Lois was born to Jeanetta Baird and Melvin S. Baird, Sr. on September 3, 1924 at 5:58 p.m., in Indianapolis, Indiana. Having reached her milestone 100th birthday in 2025, she was a centurion.

A lifelong learner, Lois Baird graduated as a National Honor student with an emphasis in French and German from Crispus Attucks HS. She attended Talladega College in 1944, where she was initiated as a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 1945 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Languages – French and German. While attending Talladega, Lois also pursued her passion for music, especially playing the piano, following in her mother’s footsteps.

A passionate educator, Lois dedicated her life to uplifting young minds. Lois wanted to teach, but didn’t know where until an opportunity opened in Andalusia, Covington County, Alabama, where she taught English. Thereafter, she moved to Prairie View, Texas where she taught her students English again. It was there that she earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Butler College.

Lois’ family encouraged her to continue exploring new opportunities. She moved to Washington, D.C. and lived in Slowe Hall, a Howard University dormitory for young women, while teaching 3rd grade in Baltimore Public Schools and earning a Speech Therapy Certificate from Howard University.

Lois was the consummate lifelong learner, and she thrived in DC with all of the city’s educational institutions. She enjoyed taking classes at Howard University, Catholic University and other institutions of higher learning. In 1957, the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) opened their doors to eager teachers and Lois excitedly took the bait. Throughout her 36-year career in the DCPS, she opened two schools, McGogney and MC Terrell, taught elementary grades, served as the lead instructor of the Learning Computer Lab for reading intervention, served as the Reading Is Fundamental Coordinator and the Title 1 Coordinator. Throughout her career, she also served as a summer school principal, speech therapist, and an English as a second language (ESL) instructor because she loved communicating with others in foreign languages. Lois enjoyed coaching the “Jumpers”, the award-winning DCPS Double Dutch Team. DCPS was certainly honored to have such a committed, engaged educator in Lois.

In 1962, Lois was joined in marriage to Ellsworth Sylvester (Paul) Holland, a Civil Engineer with the District of Columbia Government. One child was born of that union, Jan Adrienne Holland, Esq.

Lois was very active in community organizations, devoting time to Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Drifters, Inc., and The Harlequins. When Lois realized that Prince George’s County, MD would benefit from the positive outcomes enjoyed by families who joined the Tots and Teens, Inc., she was determined to establish a chapter in the County, which she did, being recognized as a Chapter Founder. Lois worked tirelessly with the Tots and Teens of Prince George’s County to provide African American families with academic support, social graces, and exposure to a wealth of career options.

Lois loved to travel the world! Taking a cue from her mother Jeanetta Green’s playbook, Lois traveled far and wide throughout her life, visiting Japan, Australia, Europe, South Korea, and South America among other destinations. She loved collecting mementos that represented the many places she had visited.

In June 1975, Lois was dedicated and baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Temple Hills Congregation where she served for many years until she moved to Silver Spring, Maryland to be closer to her family. As a dedicated member, she spoke to many on a regular basis about Jehovah’s Witness teachings. She often represented and served her congregation as a delegate during international conventions representing the United States’ Branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Despite her move to Aspenwood Senior Living in Montgomery County, MD in 2021, Lois remained quite active! She enjoyed playing the piano for residents, painting, bingo, trivia games, puzzles, group fun, exercise classes and more! Although her health began to decline, she continued to enjoy visits from family and friends who sang songs with her and enjoyed lively conversations about various topics of interest.

Lois deeply loved her family - making sure that anyone nearby was properly introduced to them. Lois welcomed two great-grandchildren into the world at 99 and 100 - and she loved to visit with them. What an awesome blessing for everyone!

Lois was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband, and two brothers, Melvin S. Baird II, and William Baird. She leaves to cherish her memory one sister, Beverly Baird Muldrow Lett, her loving daughter Jan Adrienne Holland, nephew Melvin S. Baird III, grandson Thurman Chatman, II (Trey), and granddaughter Nicole Gabrielle Chatman (Nikki), great grandsons Azariah and Ezekial Chatman, and many loving cousins and friends.