NEWPORT NEWS - Mable LaVelle Cox Baird, 88, daughter of the late Roger Prior Cox and Annie Rollings Cox, died Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Riverside Regional Medical Center after a brief illness. Mable was born July 18, 1925 in Sussex Co. and graduated from Newport News High School in June 1943 and Hampton Roads Business College in 1944. A lifelong dedicated Methodist, she was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Newport News where she was a member of the Jane Waters Circle of the United Methodist Women and a beloved member of the chancel choir until her recent illness. Mable began her professional career as a secretary for the Newport News Chamber of Commerce. Then she served as secretary for the District Superintendents of the Alexandria and Peninsula District offices of the United Methodist Church for more than thirty years. Mable loved her participation in the Business and Professional Women's Club for many years, serving in various local and state offices. Her passion for genealogy led to her membership in the United Daughters of the Confederacy for over 45 years. She was most recently a member of the Isle of Wight Chapter #699 in Smithfield, Va., where she held many different offices, including Past President. Mable was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 46 years, Marion Sims Baird, Jr., and a brother, Roger Cox. Survivors include a brother-in-law, Horace Baird, of Colonial Heights; sister-in-law Marjorie Baird of Surry; two nieces, Alice Baird Curtis and her husband, Barry, of Colonial Heights, June Baird Edwards and her husband, Jerry of Midlothian; a great niece, Kimberly Curtis of Charlottesville; two great nephews, Wesley Edwards of Richmond, and Jeffrey Edwards of Blacksburg; numerous cousins, including Barbara Francis, her husband, Cliff, Dr. Ruth Cox; and a devoted friend, Marilyn Curtin. The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2014 at Peninsula Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at First United Methodist Church, 10246 Warwick Blvd., Newport News. Burial will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park. A reception will be held at the church following interment. Expressions of sympathy may be made to First United Methodist Church of the American Cancer Society . Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.


Published in Daily Press on Apr. 6, 2014