Maybelle Baird

Ellen Maybelle Baird was welcomed into the arms of Lord Jesus on May 7, 2024, in Baker City, Oregon.  She was born to parents Opal and Henry Stencil on December 5, 1931, in Zillah, Washington. Shortly after her birth the family, including big brother Eugene, moved to a farm near Granger, Washington, where she graduated from high school. 

Maybelle was in a long line of strong, capable women who always did the best they knew how to do with deep love and humor.   

She met the love of her life, Robert Baird, in Granger.  They were married in 1950.  Soon after, Bob was called up to Korea with the National Guard, and the couple moved to El Paso, Texas, for training.  Their first son, Ken, was born there. 

After Bob returned from Korea, the family moved around in the Yakima Valley following his postings with Old National Bank and US Bank.  Two more children, Jerry and Becky, came along as the family lived in Prosser, Benton City, Grandview, and Sunnyside before empty-nesters Bob and Maybelle moved to Kennewick and Spokane.  Wherever they lived, the Bairds served God in their local Disciples of Christ Church.  Maybelle loved teaching children and directing them in plays and singing alto in the choir, even into her eighties. 

She found great fulfillment and joy in being a wife, mother, homemaker, and grandmother.  She was an excellent cook and baker; her pies were in demand at every church potluck.  She loved the English language, passing on a love of writing, reading and poetry to her children.   She was active in the PEO Sisterhood in Sunnyside, Kennewick, and Spokane.

Maybelle was a born entertainer.  She was an enthusiastic member of the Lower Valley Musical Comedy Company in Sunnyside for 15 years.  She spurned ingenue roles in favor of comedic characters because they were more fun.  She loved to be silly.

Maybelle and Bob enjoyed dancing, travel and golf.  In her later years, Maybelle took up painting, covering her walls with original works. 

Maybelle was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Opal, and brother, Gene, her husband, Bob, her sons Ken and Jerry, and granddaughter, Kacie Baird.  She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Doug Gaslin, nine grandchildren, multiple great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.   

Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com