Wilma Baird

THE FOLLOWING OBITUARY IS BEING SHARED AS A COURTESY TO WILMA'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AND WITH THE CONSENT OF GLENN FUNERAL HOME IN OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY. Wilma Hagan (Hinton) Baird, 87, of Owensboro, KY died at her home surrounded by her children on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. A Whitesville, KY native, she was born on July 25, 1935 to the late Kernie Hagan and Mary Etta Ward Hagan. While having six young children at home, Wilma earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Brescia University and her Masters and Rank One from Western Ky University. She retired from the Daviess County School System after having taught at Stanley, Sorgho, Thruston and Philpot Elementary schools in Kentucky. She had also taught at Century Elementary in Grand Chain, Illinois. Additionally, Mrs. Baird taught religious education and faith in Jesus to many young souls. Wilma has been an active, devoted member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ownesboro since 1965. She served in many capacities including funeral meals, lectoring, visiting the home bound, the hospital, as well as a member of the choirs of both Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Stephen Cathedral. With a great love, Mrs. Baird was an Oblate at the Passionist Monastery in Whitesville, where her husband, Richard was made the first Passionist Oblate in the United States. She was also a proud member of Right to Life of Owensboro. At the age of 83 and 84, Wilma said yes to a late calling by making two missionary trips to the mountain area of Lalomas, Haiti where she fell in love with the people. She sponsored several school children, teachers, and made medical treatment available to several children in need. Mrs. Baird was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Richard “Dickie” Baird and her son, Loyd E. Hinton; brothers William Herman Hagan, Thomas Bernard Hagan, Lawrence Damon ”Doc” Hagan, Joseph G “J.D.” Hagan and Audrey Louis “Dit” Hagan. She is survived by her sons; Edward Hinton of Owensboro, Lonnie (Cathy) Hinton of Vienna, Robin (Julie) Hinton of Karnak and Rick Baird of Evansville, IN; daughters Donna (Jim) Duffy and Lavida (Hal) Mischel, both of Owensboro and two sisters; Hazel Aud and Juanita Rhodes, both of Whitesville, 13 grandchildren; Audrey (James) Robinson, Tyler Baird, Tate Baird, Hannah Baird, Hagan (Laura) Baird, Lydia Baird, Noah Baird, Ryan (Samantha) Duffy, Shawnte’ (Brent) Bacher, Angela Hagan, Jerred (Tanya) Matthews, Marissa Matthews, and Stark Hinton, and numerous great grandchildren. A funeral mass will be held Monday, May 15, at 10 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with burial in Resurrection Cemetery at Whitesville. Visitation will be from 2 - 7 p.m. Sunday with prayers at 6 p.m. at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory in Owensboro and Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of the mass at the church. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Passionist Nuns Monastery, 8564 Crisp Rd., Whitesville, KY 42378 or The Haiti Mission of Sts. Joseph and Paul Catholic Church, 609 E. 4th Street, Owensboro, KY 42303. Messages and condolences to the family can be shared at www.glenncares.com.

Wilma Baird

July 25, 1935 - May 10, 2023