Clara J. Baird

Clara Josephine Baird, our family matriarch, comforter, and greatest supporter, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the age of 95. Born on December 9, 1930, in Lynn, Massachusetts to Stella and John Wysocki, she was the epitome of love, generosity, and caring.
Clara dedicated her life to her family and friends. An only child, and orphaned at the age of twelve, all she wanted in life was a family. She graduated from English High School in Lynn, Massachusetts and attended Framingham State College before meeting and marrying the love of her life, Russell Baird, at the age of 20. They lived in many places, both in the United States and abroad, before settling in Tullahoma, Tennessee for the majority of her life raising their three daughters, Cathe, Patty, and Pam. Mostly a homemaker as the children were young, she worked at Coffee County Lannom Library for 20 years, and Faith Lutheran Kindergarten, impacting countless with her kindness, wisdom, and humor.
Her passions included spending time with her family and friends, finding immense joy in her eight-grandchildren's and thirteen great-grandchildren's activities and family gatherings. She was the beacon to the lonely, often entertaining those who had no family for holidays. Her friends included the members of the "Tuesday Club," a group of women who met every Tuesday for lunch over a period of almost fifty years. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, demonstrating through her actions how to care for those less fortunate. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, served on the Altar Guild and sang in the choir. She taught her family the importance of faith, kindness and generosity, values that will continue to resonate. Even in the face of illness, she faced each day with courage and grace, thinking of others instead of herself. She will be remembered for her sense of humor as well as her giving and loving heart. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and the love she poured so freely into her family.
She is survived by her loving children, Cathe Carnes (Zeb), Patty Kamada (Ron) and Pam Hawkins (Bill); grandchildren, Matt and Clay Carnes, Angie Mullins, Brittany Clarke, Jared West, Cara Jedlicka, Savannah Talmadge, and Tori Hawkins; and thirteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Russell Baird; mother, Stella Wysocki; and father, John Wysocki.
A service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Faith Lutheran Church with visitation beginning at 12:00 PM followed by funeral services at 1:00 PM. Burial will be held at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma, TN at approximately 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, St. Jude’s Cancer Center, or Faith Lutheran Altar Guild in memory of Clara Baird.