Patricia Eileen Baird

She was born and grew up in the panhandle in Borger, Texas. Embracing her mother’s Church of Christ tradition, she was baptized in Christ as a preteen, enjoyed participating in youth group, and continued her devotion to her savior for the rest of her life. As a freshman at Texas Tech, she met a handsome engineering student, Larry Baird, who became the love of her life. After Larry’s graduation, they married and moved to California where eleven months later they became parents when son Kevin was born. After moving again for Larry’s work, they landed in Dallas, TX where they welcomed their daughter Kim.

Wherever she went, Patti involved herself wholeheartedly in the work of the church, leading women’s Bible studies, opening her home to friends and family, and counseling those who came to her for advice. When her children were older she went back to school to complete her bachelor’s degree and eventually also completed her Master’s degree in social work. After spending some years counseling foster kids at Texas Baptist Children’s Home, she entered private practice as a marriage and family therapist and served in this way until she retired. As she had done all of her life, she continued to be a mentor, counselor, and confidant to many in the church and her community even after her formal practice had ended.

Larry and Patti were partners in every sense of the word. Their partnership has been and will continue to be, an example to everyone who has met them. Their love for God and for His people has directed their paths individually and as a couple allowing them to be founding members of three churches. They helped start Waterview Church of Christ in Richardson, Texas and were blessed to serve together at Westover Hills Church of Christ in Austin, where they were also founding members and where Larry served as an elder for many years. They were also part of a small industrious group who founded their current church home, Highpoint Fellowship, and served that family an elder couple for quite a few years until Patti’s illness made it difficult to continue as they would have liked. Patti was also a crucial part of creating the Stephen Ministry at Highpoint where she served as a Ministry Leader for many years.

Patti’s home was always a welcoming haven and she was inspirational in her ability to gather people to her with warmth and compassion. She was in her element when she had loved ones around her table enjoying time together. That legacy has been one of the most enduring memories for Kim who also shares this gift with others.

There is great comfort in the knowledge that she is no longer shackled by the bonds of Alzheimer’s and is dancing in the arms of Jesus, free of confusion, discomfort, and loneliness. She is loved my many and will be missed most especially by her family. Her husband of almost 61 years, Larry, her son Kevin and wife Gwyn, her daughter, Kim King and husband Will. She is also survived by her sister Kathy Fairley of Amarillo and sister-in-law Billeena Riordan of Dallas. She was an outstanding Mimi who cherished her grandchildren Catie Reed and husband Austin, Abbie Baird and husband Jarron Sharp, Tanner King and Kendall King. She also counted many nieces and nephews as part of her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Al and Kate Riordan, her sister Lynn Korenblit, and her brother Paul Riordan. She will be missed and remembered with joyous hearts, Our memories are sweet and turned toward Heaven when we remember her.

Funeral Services will be on Friday, December 18, 2020, 10:30 A.M. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 1200 S. Bagdad Rd., Leander, Texas 78641.