Patricia Grice Baird
October 2, 1931 ~ January 25, 2009
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Pat "Mom" Baird, 77, of Arthur Road in the Malvern Hills neighborhood of Asheville, died peacefully Sunday, January 25, 2009, at John F. Keever Jr. Solace Hospice Center surrounded by her family.
She was a lifelong resident of Asheville, and was well-loved throughout her community. Pat graduated from Lee Edwards High School (Asheville High) in June of 1949. She spent the majority of her years as an amazing mother to her three surviving daughters and son-in-law, Vicki and Richard Perkins, Kelli Lovelace, and Ginni Baird. Her seven grandchildren, Rich Perkins and his wife Andy, Cindy Hoyle, Shelby Perkins and his wife Marianne, Ragen Byrd and her husband Stevie, Justin Perkins, Lee Lovelace, and Bretney Perkins, three great-grandsons, Ian and Colin Perkins and Jalen Byrd, and her niece, Kathy Smith, were also fortunate enough to have had her as such a big part of their lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Leona "Nonie" Grice, her sister, Rita Bludsworth, her husband, Thurman G. Baird, her best friend, Pat Tisdale, and, most recently, her beloved Shitzu, Sam. Her family is confident she's with them presently filling them in on everything they've missed over the years.
Pat never met a stranger and always, even until the end of her life, had a beautiful smile or a warm giggle for everyone she came across.
A celebration to honor her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 30, with the family receiving friends and loved ones one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
All are welcome to come and share their fondest memories of Pat. Guests are invited to dress to reflect the colorful spirit with which she lived.
The family would like to thank Terry Mulligan of MemoryCare of Asheville and the staff at John F. Keever Jr. Solace Hospice Center for such wonderful care for Pat as well as their compassion to them throughout this journey.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Groce Funeral Home in Pat Baird's honor, and sends you warm thanks in advance.
Vickie & Kelly: We are so sorry about the loss of your mom. She was the best neighbor you could ever hope for. Irene will miss her terribly but we are all thankful for the blessing of just knowing her.
Keeping your family in thoughts and prayers during this time.
We were all so thankful that Mrs. Baird and the family were across the road as we grew up. She was an extremely tolerant lady who didn’t get perturbed by loads of kids, some related to her and others not, running through her house, eating her food and generally carrying on. I spent days in her driveway making commercials for Coke with her granddaughter, Cindy; acting out Grease with Ginni and everyone else, over and over again; catching lightning bugs while the adults sat in lawn chairs and chatted and drank daiquiris; and sitting around watching TV our parents wouldn’t let us watch at home. We were all cared for and accepted as individuals by Pat and felt like we could trust her and come to her when things weren’t so good. I can hear the sound of her voice and of her laugh as clear as day even now and I’ve not seen her in 2 or 3 years. She kept my Dad straight, the neighborhood under control and always had something funny to say. I truly regret that we weren’t able to all get together for a night of catching up but seeing you all regularly or not, you still seem like family to me (us). I’m thinking of you all and won’t ever forget Mrs. Baird (Mom).
I will miss Pat so much; she was my closest friend in Asheville, and I was not able to be there last summer. We always went to lunch, and I will miss all our young girl foolishness. A sweeter friend you could not find. Love to all her girls. Nell
Please accept our deepest sympathy. The Banister girls and boys have many fond memories of Pat from Brevard Rd. She was a fixture at our home for many years. She will be missed by all of us. Barbara Fowler
Vicki and family:
Sorry to learn of your mom’s passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Susan Ritter Fussell and family
What a beautiful friend you always were to the Banisters. We all loved you dearly..
Dear Ginny,
We grew up together and I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. She always welcomed us teenage girls into your home. Please know she was loved by so many of us as a second mom. My thoughts are with you at this time and always…
Vicki, Kelli, Cindy, Ginni and all of your family:
I am confident that the two Pat’s had a hand in me reaching out to Cindy yesterday!! My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. She was my second Mom as well, I cherish the memories.
Dear Vicki,Kelli,Ginni& Family,
I am so very sorry for the loss of Pat. She is in a better place and has ‘Sam’ with her forever. Pat was truely my second ‘MOM’ and I will always cherish the memories of my time with her and you guys!
Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers and my best to the entire family! May Pat rest in peace!!!
Our thoughts and prayers are with all you as you go through this point in your lives. Your mother was a much loved lady who brought much sunlight into our lives. I remember her and Kelly being at Phillip’s graduation celebration, he thought much of her.
Although I don’t know Pat’s family, we were close friends all through junior high & high school. I can still see her prancing high in front of the band and joining our gang for fun in classes and activities. Pat will always be part of my fond memories.
Jane Anne Luther, ’49
Dear Vicki, Kelli, Ginni, and Cindy,
I was so very sorry and sad to hear the news of the passing of your Mom.She was very special to me. You have to be a very special person with a very big heart to have so many people think of her as their ‘second Mom’! She is truly one of a kind.I know our ‘Mom’s’ are now back at the coffee table talking and laughing again, just like old times.I know how hard this is for you, so please know that I am here for you if you need me.
Sincerely,
Matt Tisdale
Dear Ginni, Vicki, Kelli, Richard and all of the kids. I can’t say how sorry I am about your Mom. She was there for me so many times and in so many ways. I loved to sit outside all afternoon in the summertime talking. We could go on for hours! I will see you soon. Take care of each other, Love Suzi Hensley
Pat was a high school friend and the most striking memory is of her as a majorette. What a lovely sight to behold.
Pat was a high school friend and the most striking memory is of her as a majorette. What a lovely sight to behold.
Dear Vicki, Kelly and Ginny, I am so sorry to read that Pat has passed on. She was a rock for me one year when I needed it most. I am privileged to have known her. She was a wonderful person. Edel Seay
I have so many memories of Mrs. Baird. She had the best sense of humor, and could always make you laugh. When I was growing my brother, sister, and I spent most of our time at her house. As an adult, I loved sitting at her kitchen table, talking and drinking sweet tea. You could go months without seeing her, and you always picked up right where you left off. She was one of the most special people I’ve ever met. You are all like family to us, and our thoughts and prayers will be with you.
To Vicki, Kelly, Ginny, Cindy and Family
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom Pat. To have had
her as a neighbor of my mother for over forty years was a true treasure. She was more than a neighbor and friend, but like an
extended member of our family. She will be greatly missed.
To Vicki, Kelly, Ginny, Cindy and Family
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom Pat. To have had
her as a neighbor of my mother for over forty years was a true treasure. She was more than a neighbor and friend, but like an
extended member of our family. She will be greatly missed.
Ken Anderson and family
Kelly, Vicky, Rich & the intire family. I am very sorry to hear about your mom. She was always so nice to me. My thoughts and Prayers are with you during this sad time.