Obituary of Mildred Katherine "Kitty" Clark Baird

Mildred Katherine (Kitty) Clark Baird died November 28, 2022, at 89 years of age. She was loved by her children, Sarah (husband Christian Runnels), Thomas (wife Lynda, deceased), William (wife Faye Montgomery) and Laura; her grandchildren Bianca, Ingrid, Devon, Jackson, Olivia (deceased), Clay, and Jody; along with several generations of beloved nieces and nephews. Kitty was born in Abingdon, Virginia on September 16, 1933, as the only daughter of William and Katherine Clark and the rascally little sister of Samuel (wife Joan), William (wife Nell), and Douglas (wife Chillie), all of whom preceded her in death. Inspired by her mother’s lifelong devotion to teaching young children, she received a degree in Education from Radford College. While at Radford, she met her husband to be, Thomas Baird Jr., then an undergraduate at University of Virginia. The two married in 1956 and Kitty welcomed sisters-in-law Jackie (deceased) and Joan (husband Doug deceased). The couple settled in Wytheville, Virginia after living in Richmond, Virginia and Knoxville, Tennessee. Kitty had a variety of careers, including PE coach, social worker, teacher, and homemaker. She discovered an affinity for real estate and later opened the first female-owned real estate brokerage in the county. She ran Baird Realty for more than 20 years, and her business innovation kept her ahead of her time in the field. She was active in various civic groups including the Wytheville Presbyterian Church choir and loved to sing and play the piano and organ. She was a voracious reader who also had short stories published. After 58 years of marriage, Kitty relocated to Savannah Georgia after the death of Tommy in 2015. While reluctant to leave the town where she had many friends and memories, she was captivated by her young grandchildren and wanted to be close by to enjoy every minute with them. She loved fiercely and was the matriarch of a family that will go forward aspiring to honor her by emulating her generosity, empathy, and humor. Funeral service will be held 2 P.M. Sunday, December 4, 2022, at the Wytheville Presbyterian Church, conducted by Pastor John Langham, with interment to follow in the West End Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. at Grubb Funeral Home Chapel. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.