BARRY ERNEST BAIRD

Barry entered his eternal home September 12, 2021, after courageously living with Parkinson’s for almost 15 years. With the loving support of his family, friends, devoted caregivers, and Alive Hospice, he was able to complete his journey in his own home —a fervent wish. 

He is preceded in death by father, William O. (Red) Baird and brother, Barton Van Baird.  He is survived by husband, Joseph Taylor; children, Blake Baird, Laura and Brent Taylor; “adopted” son, Peter Johnston; mother,  Ernestine Mitchell Baird; brother,  Brad Baird;  sister, RoseAnne (Pat)Sullivan; former wife, Susan K Hannah; sisters in law, Elaine Fussell and Sherry Baird; nieces and nephews, Tara(Tom) Arcuri, William J. (Jessica) Baird, Hayden and Taylor Fussell, Benjamin, Rebekah, Elisabeth, Hannah and Andrew Sullivan; great nieces and nephews, Thomas and Allison Arcuri, Abigail, Bailey, and Austen Baird, as well as his devoted dog, Sarah, and many other beloved extended family and friends, including his caregiver friends Kimi Mundell and Marquez Chappell.

Barry was born to William and Ernestine Baird on September 30,1958, and raised in West Nashville until his father was called to the ministry, thus moving the family to various church homes in Alabama. Upon high school graduation, he returned to his beloved Nashville and extended family, and soon found his true calling… sales. With his extraordinary gift of instantly connecting with a wide variety of people, he was named sales manager within weeks of his initial hire at the Benson Company and was able to rise to his ultimate position as a vice president at Thomas Nelson/ Harper Collins Christian Publishing. In 1990, he met his life partner and husband, Joseph Taylor.  He considered it a blessing to help raise their children Laura, Blake and Brent. Together, they built an amazing life, sharing over 30 years of community involvement, rich friendships, travel, and love. He was a proud sober member of AA and suffered with several severe medical issues but never allowed this to define him. Barry was the embodiment of generosity, loyalty, integrity, forgiveness, gratitude, and friendship. 

The family will have an outdoor visitation to practice social distancing on Sunday, September 19, 2021, from 4PM until 6PM, at West Harpeth Funeral Home on Charlotte Pike. A memorial service to honor his life will follow at 6PM. Please note that masks are required to attend both. A private family inurnment will take place at St. Ann’s Episcopal  Church.

If you want to share a story or memory, please submit to BarryBairdStories@gmail.com 

Donations may be made to the Community Foundations Franklin Brooks Fund, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, or New Life Foundation.

 

****FOR THOSE WISHING TO VIEW THE SERVICE VIRTUALLY, it will be posted on our Facebook page.