Raymond Roy Baird

Raymond Roy Baird, age 78, of Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at his home after a courageous 14-month battle with cancer. Ray was born in Richmond to the late, Benjamin and Ellen Baird. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1963. He served in the National Guard from December 1964 to January 1971. He worked for three telephone companies: C&P / Bell Atlantic / Verizon for 35 years. When he retired from the phone company, he began a new phase of his life as a living historian, then as a Richmond tour guide, and then found his way to his dream job of 14 years as an interpreter at St. John’s Church in Richmond, where Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give me Liberty or give me death” speech. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Benjamin O’Connor Baird, Jr. Ray is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Annette Martin Baird of Manakin-Sabot; two daughters, Annette Bosworth and husband, Scott of Austin, Texas, and Sarah Wegner and husband, Mark of Austin, Texas; one son, Jason Baird and wife, Katie of Richmond, Virginia; and nine grandchildren, Abbie, Clara, and Chase Bosworth; Matthew, Emma, Ben, and Charlotte Wegner; and Nathan and Caroline Baird. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Iris Martin Fletcher and husband, Bob of Dayton, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Historic St. John’s Church Foundation, 2319 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23223.