Lois Speer Baird

Born in Cumberland, Kentucky on February 4, 1928, Lois grew up in Grundy, Virginia, where her father Harold G. Speer was the town's dentist. Her mother was Elizabeth Caudill Speer.

Lois spent her summers with her dear aunt Lottie and uncle Frank Davis in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Lois is predeceased by her parents, two older brothers, Harold and Keith, and a younger sister Mildred who died tragically at a young age.

Lois started school at age 5 and was able to skip the fifth grade, having done the work while in the fourth grade. She graduated valedictorian of her class at Grundy High School at age 16. Her mother encouraged her to go to Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, where she herself had attended. Lois received her Bachelor of Science degree from Berea in 1948.

While attending Berea, she met the love of her life, Calvin Baird, a returning US Navy veteran of WWII. He had spotted her picture in the window of a local photography studio. Lois spotted him at a soda shop on campus. Their first date to a sporting event ran long, causing Lois to miss curfew at her dorm. It was worth it as she told her roommates that she had just met the man she was going to marry! Lois was punished for missing curfew by being grounded for a period of time. Calvin, feeling guilty for her situation, began visiting her in the lobby of her dorm. It was there that their romance began. Lois worked at Berea in the hotel Boone Tavern as well as in their weaving area, using their large looms. Calvin, while working in the woodworking department, made her a beautiful loom that she enjoyed and it is still prominently displayed in their home.

Lois and Calvin were married on May 30, 1948, at Grundy Church of Christ, with Preacher Greenleaf officiating. Their marriage lasted 56 years, until Calvin’s death in 2004.

After they married, they moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, so Calvin could get his Masters in Marketing. Lois took a teaching job in Alcoa during that time.

Calvin and Lois moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee for Cal’s new job and raised their family of four children — Andrew, Tom, Judy (Cunningham) and Glenn. When the time came, they wholeheartedly welcomed spouses Mary, Susan, Mark, and Mary Lauren into the family.

When her children would disagree and fight, Lois reminded them to extend Jesus’s “lovingkindness” to each other. She continued to teach that lesson to her eleven grandchildren such that the word became synonymous with “Mema.” She was a source of encouragement and never-ending support to each grandchild: Andrew, Alan, Parker, Davis, Silas, Owen, Mary Hollis, David, Hutton (Ivey), Mae (Ramsey) and Jack Baird. 

Other living relatives include 12 great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, and numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces.  

Lois and Calvin were long-time members of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, where Lois was a Deacon, member of the Women of the Church Circle, member of the sanctuary choir, and Sunday School teacher. Prior to her death, she was the longest living tenured member of SMPC.

Each summer Calvin and Lois took their children to the church’s Family Camp at Camp John Knox on Watts Bar Lake, where there was lots of fun, fellowship, food, and worship, especially on Vesper Hill. They served often on the planning committee because of their love for this unique ministry and the community that attended.

Lois was an active citizen in the local community.  She was named Signal Mountain Guild’s Woman of the Year in 1982. She served as President of Signal Mountain’s Evening Garden Club, participating in many flower shows. She was a lead fundraiser for the Signal Mountain Community Center, the Library, and the “new” pool. She was known as “the bean lady” because she served the baked beans at the annual Signal Mountain Labor Day Barbecue. Her hobbies included golf. She was thrilled to join “the Hole-in-One” club in her 60s, using her Big Bertha driver on #14 at SMGCC.

Lois was a long-time member of the Nifty Nomads, girlfriends who took day trips together. The group name reflected their commitment to refrain from gossip so nobody got “mad”.

Lois and Calvin were strong supporters of Berea College, a college that educates accomplished Appalachian students from disadvantaged backgrounds.  In the 1980s, Lois served as Berea’s Alumni Association President and was active as an alumni board member for more than 10 years.

Lois and Calvin spent time on beautiful Sanibel Island and loved to entertain family and friends there. While there, she attended the Sanibel Community Church and she may have eaten ice cream at the Dairy Queen a few times over the years.

The Baird family wishes to thank Alexian Village’s 5th floor acute care team, including Brittany, Connie, Krystal, Patrice, Sarah, Sandy, Abby, Hannah, and other caregivers who provided Lois superb care during her final stage of life. Likewise, the family appreciates the beautiful care provided by the wonderful staff at Hearth Hospice over the last three days of her life.

The family also wishes to acknowledge just-retired Alexian chaplain Margaret Ferguson, who provided Lois with love and spiritual care, along with SMPC’s Scott Bowen and pastor Bill Dudley.  

On Saturday September 19, at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Boulevard, Signal Mountain, TN 37377, there will be a visitation from 1:00-2:30 PM and her memorial service will begin at 2:30pm. All are welcome.

Persons who wish to honor Lois’ life with a bequest can donate to the Calvin and Lois Speer Baird Scholarship Fund at Berea College in Kentucky, or to Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church.

In “Blackwater Woods” the great poet Mary Oliver writes:

“To live in this world

you must be able

to do three things:

to love what is mortal;

to hold it

against your bones knowing

your own life depends on it;

and, when the time comes to let it go,

to let it go…”

Lois Baird’s life satisfied the conditions of the poet…and much more…we will miss Lois dearly every day…