Edith Hilary Baird Harpe

Edith Hilary Baird was one of six children born to Henrietta Isabella Charlotte Bryson and John LeGrand Baird in Dora, Alabama. She was predeceased by her parents and five siblings: John Buford Baird, Aileen Baird Stephenson, James Ricketts Baird, Charles Bryson Baird, and Betty Baird Fendley as well as her husband, Wilson Lastron Harpe.

She married Wilson Harpe on September 20, 1941, in Columbus, Georgia. He was in the Army Air Corps at the time, later the US Air Force. She lived in and travelled to many countries during her marriage and instilled in her family a love of travel and understanding other cultures. Some of her employment was at USAREUR Headquarters, Heidelberg, Germany; Entomology Lab, CDC, Savannah, Georgia and NASA Purchasing Office, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

She is survived by her daughter, Rosanne Elizabeth Harpe; her son, Wilson Lastron Harpe, Jr.; granddaughters, Hilary Harpe Lilja (Patrick) and Vanessa Rosanne Harpe; grandson, Wilson Lastron Harpe III (Danielle); and great grandchildren, Finn Phoenix Lilja, Shay Sofia Lilja, Hannah Edith Harpe and Eleanor Christine Harpe.

She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews: Charlotte L. Stephenson, Charles M. Stephenson, John George Stephenson IV, Virginia Stephenson Hollis, Martha Baird Ellis, James Edward Baird, Dorothy Baird Ivey, Susan Baird Calhoun, Margaret Ellen Baird, Charles Bryson Baird and Patricia Anne Fendley Helms.

A talented seamstress and cook, she was a generous and fun-loving lady. Her family and many, many dear friends will miss her.