November 28, 2012

Lu Chandler Baird

Lu Chandler Baird, 76, of Kansas City, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, at New Mark Care Center. Visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27 at the McGilley & Sheil Chapel. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. with burial in Mt. Washington Cemetery.

Lu was born on Nov. 1, 1936, All Saints Day, on the family farm in Senath, Mo., to Mae Belle and J.P. Chandler. She was the next to the youngest of seven children and one foster brother, Jimmy (aka my Jimmy dear). Lu graduated from Senath High School in 1954 where she was a member of the FHA, the Library Club, the Music Club, and the Pep Club. She attended Arkansas State College in Jonesboro, Ark., from 1954 to 1956 and studied elementary education and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.

Lu taught second grade at Beech Corner Grade School in rural Senath, Mo., and then taught first grade the next year at Rives Elementary School.

She met the love of her life and married Hubert (Hugh) B. Baird on Sept. 26, 1957, in Pocahontas, Ark. They lived in Pleasant Hill, Mo., where she worked as a telephone operator for United Telephone Co. for six months. They moved to Kansas City, Mo., in 1960 and lived above the C.H. Blackman & Son Funeral Home where Hugh was employed as a mortician and funeral director. Lu went to work at the Lynn Insurance Group. On her employment application, the interviewer wrote that Lu planned to work for life and could not have a family, little did he know. In 1963 Lu became a mother to Hughs’ three daughters, Rhonda was 15, Martha was 11 and Cyd was 7. Lu was only 26. She was a member of the Eastern Star and held the rank of Ruth. She also taught Sunday School, Children’s Church and sang in the choir at the various churches she attended through the years before finally settling at the Budd Park Christian Church.

Lu retired from full-time employment in 2001 from Universal Underwriters. She also worked as a greeter at the Blackman Funeral Home, then moved and lived above the Sheil Funeral Homes where she was employed as a greeter at both Sheil locations. After her husband, Hugh, passed away in 1995, Lu had a friendship with Carl Hughes. They went on several cruises. They were good friends until his death in 2006.

Lu is preceded in death by her husband, Hugh, in 1995; her daughter, Rhonda Weant in 2002 and an infant granddaughter, Melissa in 1972; her parents; her oldest brother, John; sisters, Mary Johnson and Beth Aumon; her brother, Jimmy and his wife, Faith; sisters in law, Marguerite Chandler and Dorothy Chandler; and nieces, Deana Chilland and Charlotte Chandler.

Lu is survived by Rhonda’s family, husband, Rusty Weant and daughter, Amy and her daughter, Addison; son, Adam (Trista); her second daughter, Martha and her friend, Jody Highfill; her third daughter, Cyd Bossert (Mark) and two sons, Andy (Erica) and triplets Emersen, Carson, and Madysen; Aaron (Becca) and their children, Ian and Baby Eva; two brothers, Tom Chandler and daughter, Diane (Bob) and daughter, Natalie; son, Joe (Jana) and their children, T.J. and Matthew; Ben and daughters, Nancy and Janice and families; her sister, Millie Chilland and daughter, Rose and family; many nieces, nephews, cousins, many good friends, and special friends, the Lopez Family.

Lu had a great sense of humor, was usually the life of the party, had a love for people and a good ear for listening. She will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank the New Mark Care Center and Crossroads Hospice for their care and compassion for Lu and her family.

Contributions can be made to the charity of your choice.

“We love you momma.” Condolences may be given at www.mcgilleysheil.com.