John Bevel Laird, age 89, of Lumberton, TX, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024. He was born in Orange, TX, on July 26, 1934, to Andrew Buford Laird and Helen Sophia Nelson; and raised by his grandmother Bertha Nelson or “Ma Nelson” as everyone called her.
John attended and graduated from the West Orange Stark “WOS” schools and joined the Army soon after. After his service in the military, he travelled north to pan for gold in Alaska, but then found his true work in 1957 with AT&T. He worked with AT&T for 36 years and helped many friends and family when they had phone trouble. John was always there to help! In 1983 he saw the love of his life for the first time; and said to himself “someday I am going to marry that lady!” They were married in 1984, and just celebrated their 40th anniversary. Wanting to see America firsthand, John and Ann became travelers of The States. They were members of several camping groups, and their favorite places to visit were Branson and Nashville. John and Ann were long time members of First Baptist Church of Lumberton; he was a faithful Christian who loved The Lord. John’s favorite things were dancing with his wife, baseball, family, and taking pictures. He also taught himself to play guitar by ear; taking any chance he could get to play music alongside his cousin Joseph Wayne. Ann loved it when John would sing, and his singing always brought a big smile to her face. Until the last 5 years, John would never miss a WOS sports event whether home or away, he would be supporting his team. He also made sure to keep up with all the grandchildren’s sports, dance recitals, bull riding, and other special events. One of Johns favorite things to do, was making hand drawn birthday or holiday cards for those he loved; he would draw the person doing something they loved to do; making it very special. Everyone who knew John will miss him and his memory will live on in their hearts.
Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife, Anna Bell Koch Laird; daughters, Pam Fruge and husband James of Round Rock, TX and Jo Helen Ousley of Deweyville, TX; step-son, Ernest Lee Koch Jr. and wife, Kerry; son-in-law, Walter Hillard of Orange, TX; brother, Donald Ray White of Bridge City, TX; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; niece, Stacey Mallette of Lumberton, TX; very close friend of the family, Brenda Tamplin; as well as many cousins, nephews, nieces and loved ones.
Preceding John in death are his parents; daughter, Brenda Hillard; brothers, Andrew Buford Laird Jr. and Curtis Roy White; and sister, Juanita Blanche Laird.
Social Media