Carl Edward Baird, age 88 of Jonesboro, Arkansas passed away on Sunday February 23, 2025, in Paragould, Arkansas. Carl was born on July 25, 1936, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to Thomas and Connie Waddell Baird. He attended White Oak Elementary School before transferring and graduating from Walnut Ridge Public Schools in 1954. Carl was raised on the family farm on Highway 34 north of Walnut Ridge and was a major contributor to the farming operation, even after leaving home. He worked for Frolic Footwear/Wolverine in Jonesboro as a leather cutter most of his adult life, retiring as a foreman.
Carl married Betty Jean Holt in 1956 and in their 55 years of marriage were blessed with two children, Carl Jr. & Sherry, and later 2 grandsons. Carl enjoyed watching sports, especially the opportunity to see his son or grandsons play through the years. In most recent years he rarely missed having lunch at his favorite restaurants around town with his loving daughter.
Carl was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Walnut Ridge and most recently attended Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro.
He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, son Carl Baird Jr. and his daughter-in-law Teresa Baird, his parents, and a sister, Kathleen Hattenhauer, and nephew Steve Forkum.
He is survived by his daughter Sherry (Robert)Engelken of Jonesboro, grandson David (Natalie) Engelken of Paragould, grandson Daniel (Ashley) Engelken of Brookland, and great grandchildren Weslynn, Lydia, and Austyn Claire Engelken, all of Paragould, and Evan, Jase, and Luke Engelken, all of Brookland. He is also survived by his sister Maydeen Forkum, nephew Jason Forkum both of Walnut Ridge, nephew Tony Simmons of Houston, Texas, nephew Mike Simmons of Plant City, Florida, niece Cindy Nichols of Walnut Ridge, nephew Byron Simmons of Walnut Ridge, niece Charlotte Wheeless of Powhatan, Arkansas, and a host of friends.
Carl’s family expresses deep gratitude and appreciation for all the outstanding care and comfort that he received throughout his illness, especially St. Bernard’s Regional Medical Center, and Belle Meade, and Dierksen Hospice. Heartfelt thanks to all those that assisted in care in his final days.
Visitation will be 10 – 11 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025, at the Bryan Funeral Home in Hoxie, Arkansas, immediately followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. Burial will then immediately follow at Lawrence Memorial Cemetery in Walnut Ridge.
