Nancy Baird

Nancy Tice Baird, 65, of Commerce, died Saturday, October 11, 2008.

Born in Jackson, Tenn., on December 21, 1942, she spent her childhood in Martin, Tenn. She was the daughter of James E. Tice, formerly of Martin, Tenn., now residing in Griffin, and the late Mary Rollins Tice.

Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Ancil Roscoe Baird Jr., Knoxville, Tenn., currently residing in Commerce, and his mother, Beatrice K. Baird, formerly of Knoxville, Tenn., now residing in Jefferson; sons and daughters-in-law, John David and Maye Pintor Baird and children, Ian and Sienna, Andrew Tice and Dana Dobson Baird and children, Rollins and Reagan; a brother and sister-in-law, James Rollins and Marilee Eaves Tice and children, Daniel, Timothy, and Seth, all of Griffin.

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, Jeffersonville, Indiana. She then served as Assistant Librarian at Wesleyan College, and later Owensboro Public Library, both in Owensboro, Kentucky. After moving to Griffin, Georgia, 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, Georgia, 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.

A celebration of life at a worship service will be held at Commerce First Baptist Church Saturday, October 25, at 2 p.m., led by Dr. Carlton Allen and Dr. Bruce Morgan. A reception with the family and friends will be held prior to the service as 12:30 p.m. at the church.

Nancy requested that 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.

Cremation Society of the South, 770-420-5557, is in charge of arrangements.