A longtime resident of Baton Rouge, David Charles "Charlie" Laird Sr. passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Lane Regional Medical Center in Zachary. He was born Oct. 22, 1930, in McComb, Miss. Charlie was president of Mississippi Chemical Express, with terminals in Baton Rouge, Bossier City and Purvis, Miss. He retired in 1994. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Katherine; two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and Ron DeSilvey and Sandy and Danny Miller; two sons and daughters-in-laws, David and Cynthia Laird, of Olive Branch, Miss., and Keith and Christi Laird, of Columbus, Miss.; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; a cousin, William Stokes, of Ruston; and his two best friends, Tori and Tuffie. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Saturday, Jan. 10, was from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Visitation resumes at the funeral home on Sunday from noon until memorial service at 1 p.m. Graveside service at Hollywood Cemetery in McComb on Sunday, Jan. 11, at 3:30 p.m. "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Charlie, you will be greatly missed.
