Dean Baird

Eleanor Dean Baird of Abilene, Texas passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 21, 2021. Dean was 87 years old.

Dean was born in Temple, Texas to Lee Roy and Christine Gilley on the twenty fifth of August 1934. She grew up in the Temple area and attended Troy High School and Temple Junior College. Later she earned her degree in Education from Texas Tech/Midland. She met a Heidenheimer boy, Ed Baird, and they were married in 1954. Dean and Ed had four beautiful children and lived in Midland, Cisco, and Abilene. Dean was widowed in 1997 and took over the insurance business that her husband had started. Dean Baird Insurance was her business and joy, as she could see and visit with all the people, she helped insure their homes and lives. Dean was a member of the Cactus Lions Club in Abilene and was very active in their mission. She was a faithful member of the Faithful Workers Sunday School class at Southwest Park Baptist Church. Their motto was "God has a purpose for us, no matter how old." Dean lived that out, volunteering and serving others until the time of her death. Dean loved to travel and went on many adventures with her adult kids, marking things off her 'bucket list.' She went on a hot air balloon ride in New Mexico and zip lining overhead downtown Las Vegas. She loved roller coasters and thrill rides. Above all her other roles in life, Dean relished the role of wife, mother, and grandmother. She was Mamaw to her 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Her infectious laughter and warm hugs will be remembered and greatly missed.

Dean is predeceased by her parents, Lee Roy and Christine Gilley, her husband, Ed Baird, and her beloved younger sister Mary Coyne.

Dean is survived by her four children, James Baird (Christi) of Abilene, Roy Baird of San Antonio, Tom Baird (Mary) of Houston and Tonya Hoff (Terry) of Round Rock, and all her precious grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dean has requested that donations to the Texas Lions Club Camp in Kerrville, Texas would be appreciated.

Visitation will be held on Monday evening from 6-8 pm at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 US-277 S. in Abilene. A funeral Service will be held Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at 10:00 am at Southwest Park Baptist Church, 2901 S. 20th St. in Abilene, TX. Interment will follow at Bellwood Memorial Park at 3:00 pm in Temple, TX.