Rachel O. Baird

On May 13th, the world lost a most beautiful woman with the passing of Rachel Orpha (Lee) Baird to be with her Lord. Rachel was 91 years of age at the time of her passing in Sutherlin, Oregon. Blake, Rachel's loving husband of 68 years, preceded her in death last year on June 30.
Rachel, daughter of Ernest and Vicie (Benton) Lee, was born in Eugene, Oregon, on January 12, 1920. She had been an active member of the Calapooia Free Methodist Church all of her adult life; she also was pianist there for many years, as well as Sunday School teacher, youth worker, and treasurer.
On September 27, 1941, Rachel married Blake Baird in Oakland, where they raised four children - Dan, Norm, Joy, and Glenn. In 1962, Rachel began work as the secretary to the Superintendent of Oakland Schools, where she worked for 23 years before retiring at the age of 65.
Rachel had always been active with creating her awesome hand-made items, which she sewed, crocheted, and knitted. She was also an avid genealogist, searching out her family roots via the "old-fashioned" way, by letters and correspondence to relatives around the world.
Rachel and Blake leave behind a legacy in the form of a Trust, which has helped to build churches in Africa and has also, to date, awarded more than $250,000 in college scholarships to Oregon youth.
Besides her four children and their spouses, Rachel leaves behind three grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great-greats!! She also had an infant granddaughter who preceded her in death in 1981.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the Calapooia Free Methodist Church in Sutherlin. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the building fund of the Calapooia Free Methodist Church.
The family would like to thank Chantele and her staff at Chantele's Loving Touch for their compassionate loving care of our mother.