Nancy Tice Baird

Commerce - Nancy Tice Baird, 65, of Commerce, Ga., died Saturday, October 11, 2008. Nancy was born in Jackson, Tenn. on December 21, 1942 and spent her childhood in Martin, Tenn. Nancy was married to Ancil R. Baird Jr. for 43 years. Nancy lived a life reflecting the depth of Christian faith and character that guided all she did.
Nancy is survived by Ancil Roscoe Baird Jr. from Knoxville, Tenn., currently residing in Commerce, Ga. and his mother, Beatrice K. Baird, formerly of Knoxville, Tenn., now residing in Jefferson, Ga.; son, John David Baird, wife, Maye Pintor Baird and children, Ian and Sienna; son, Andrew Tice Baird, wife, Dana Dobson Baird and children, Rollins and Reagan. She is the daughter of James E. Tice, formerly of Martin, Tenn., now residing in Griffin, Ga. and the late Mary Rollins Tice. She is also survived by her brother, James Rollins Tice, wife, Marilee Eaves Tice and children, Daniel, Timothy and Seth of Griffin, Ga.
Nancy graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Indiana University, Bloomington, attaining several advanced degrees and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Georgia. Nancy had a long career in the field of education, beginning as Assistant Librarian at Indiana University Southeast, Jeffersonville, Ind. She then served as Assistant Librarian at Wesleyan College and later Owensboro Public Library, both in Owensboro, Ky. After moving to Griffin, Ga., Nancy first served as a librarian at the Flint River Regional Library and then became the Library Media Specialist for Crescent Elementary School and later Griffin High School. Her career in educational leadership began as an Assistant Principal at Taylor Street Middle School in Griffin and continued as Assistant Principal for Curriculum at Griffin High School. As a leader in the Griffin Spalding County Schools, Nancy coordinated K-12 curriculum at the system level before moving to Commerce, Ga. to accept the position of Assistant Superintendent of Commerce City Schools in 2001. She retired in 2006, only to continue to guide graduate students at Piedmont College in their pursuit of excellence in teaching.
There will be a celebration of her life at a worship service to be held at Commerce First Baptist Church on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 2 p.m., led by Dr. Carlton Allen and Dr. Bruce Morgan. A reception with family and friends will be held prior to the service at 12:30 p.m. at the church. Nancy requested contributions be made to the following charities in lieu of flowers: Commerce First Baptist Church Building Fund, Susan G. Komen for the Cure/Relay For Life, Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Arrangements by Cremation Society of the SOUTH, 770-420-5557.