Ruth Pauline Baird

Longtime Meeker resident, Ruth Pauline Baird, passed away in Shawnee, Oklahoma on August 29, 2021, at the age of 95. Ruth was born to James William Victor and Esther (Nikkel) Castle on April 27, 1926, in Mangum, Oklahoma. She graduated from Lake Creek School. She married David C. Baird on July 9, 1944. David preceded her death on March 1, 1983. She obtained her beauty license from Shawnee Beauty College and operated Ruth’s Beauty Shop west of Meeker for over 30 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Vernon Castle, A.D. Castle, Jim Castle, and Bob Castle; three sisters, Judy Martin, Billie Parr, and Loucine Thomason; a daughter, Cherry Ruth Baird (Smith) Thibodeau; and a granddaughter, SPC Laurie Renee’ (Smith) Webb. Ruth was a member of First Baptist Church, Meeker. In addition to being a retired beautician, she was an excellent seamstress, wonderful cook, cake decorator, and a loving and devoted home-health caregiver to many in the Meeker area. She was a hard worker and rarely met a challenge she couldn’t overcome. Ruth, lovingly known as “Granny Great” by her great-grandchildren, and as “Ms. Ruth” by her church family, loved her family and friends and especially enjoyed participating on horseback, mule back or in her Conestoga wagon on trail rides throughout Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. She and numerous other trail riders from across the nation rode horseback to the bicentennial celebration in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1976. Survivors include daughter, Alta Segovia and husband Mark of Tulsa, Oklahoma; son, Bert H. Baird and wife Janis of Edmond, Ok; son David C. Baird, Jr. and wife Reba, Meeker, Ok; son-in-law, Joseph Thibodeau, Bartlesville, Ok; sister-in-law, Wanda Castle, Oklahoma City; brother-in-law, J.L. Parr, Granite, Ok; grandchildren: Justin Smith and wife Sherlynn, Newalla, Ok; LaCinda Smart, Meeker, Ok; Levi Smith, McLoud, Ok; John Dalton, Oklahoma City; Jeremy Dalton and wife Natalie, Collinsville, Ok; Toni Aubuchon and husband Jeff, Broken Arrow, Ok; Briani Segovia, Broken Arrow, Ok; Shawnda Roberts and husband Michael, Stratford, Ok; Bert Baird Jr., Shawnee, Ok; Clay Baird, Edmond, Ok; Lane King, Edmond, Ok; Robin Rahn, Edmond, Ok; David C. Baird, III and wife Lorie, Burleson, Texas; and Jason Baird and wife Angie of Oklahoma City. Ruth was also survived by a number of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the mission fund at First Baptist Church, Meeker. Graveside services will be at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at New Hope Cemetery, Meeker, Oklahoma, with Brother Joe Jones officiating. Services will be under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service, Meeker, Oklahoma.