Sandra Jean Baird

She was born on February 18, 1941, in Memphis, TN, and graduated from Millington High School in 1959, where she met her husband, James Wallace (“Jim”) Baird. Over the years, Sandy devoted herself to her family as a loving wife and mother while also working in a variety of locations including Capleville Elementary School, Nova Teleproductions, and Bryce Corporation. She was an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics and assisted with bookkeeping for her brother’s company in her retirement.

Sandy was preceded in death by her husband, James Wallace (“Jim”) Baird; her parents, Willie Virgil Kuykendall and Mildred Smith Kuykendall Burnett; her brother, Virgil Ray (“Butch”) Kuykendall; her son, James William (“Billy”) Baird; and great-grandchildren Anna Grace and John Liam Baird.

She is survived by her brother, Ricky Virgil Kuykendall (wife Phyllis) of Millington; daughter-in-law Gail Bennett Baird of Collierville; daughter Sheryl Bodron (husband Bob) of Griffin, GA; and son Richard (wife Liz) of Savannah, TN. Sandy and Jim were proud grandparents of David Baird (wife Shannon) of Germantown, TN; Robert Bodron (wife Amanda) of McDonough, GA; Kerry Baird (wife Lauren) of Lebanon, TN; Rachel Bodron Stroud (husband Chad) of Fayetteville, GA; Jonathan Baird of Cordova, TN; Rebecca Bodron of Griffin, GA; Bennett Baird (wife Anna) of Collierville, TN; and Jesse Baird of Starkville, MS. They were also blessed with great-grandchildren Jamie, Ruth, and Emily Baird of Germantown; Kooper Baird of Lebanon, TN; Samson Baird of Collierville; and Charlotte and Truett Stroud of Fayetteville, GA.

Faith, family, and fellowship were the foundation of Sandy’s life. Married for 65 years to her beloved Jim, she helped build a family filled with devotion, joy, and lasting memories. Her home was a place of comfort, her table always had room for one more, and her life was a testament to the beauty of gathering together.

Sandy supported her children and grandchildren through ball games, academic competitions, dance recitals, band events, and more. She served alongside Jim in the Briarcrest Band Boosters and supported local 4-H programs lending a helping hand wherever it was needed. She joined her children on trips, field days, and activities, becoming a beloved “second mom” to many of their friends.

Sandy also poured her heart into her church communities, serving for over 50 years at Capleville United Methodist Church as a Sunday School teacher and choir member, and more recently attending First Methodist Church of Collierville.

A celebration of Sandy’s life will be held at Collierville Funeral Home, 3863 Bailey Station Rd., Collierville, TN 38017, on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Visitation will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with the service to follow.

In honor of Sandy’s love for springtime beauty, the family invites attendees to wear bright or floral colors as we come together to celebrate a life so well lived.

Though our hearts are heavy, we find peace in knowing Sandy is reunited with Jim and rejoicing in the eternal presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her love will continue to bloom in the lives of all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sandy’s memory to the building fund of First Methodist Church of Collierville, P.O. Box 875, Collierville, TN 38027.