Mrs. Betty Laird, of Lockhart, died in her home, on January 09, 2018, at the age of 86. 

Betty is survived by her daughter, Patricia Peoples and husband Terry; daughter-in-law Patricia Laird; grandchildren Amanda Laird, April Durkee and husband Travis; Anais Bearden and husband Alan of Huntsville; and great granddaughters, Alivia Laird, Lexi Durkee, and Ava Durkee. She is predeceased by her husband James and son Gary.

Betty was born April 25, 1931 in Covington County. Her parents were Henry and Iona Garrett. She married James Laird in 1948, and they lived in Covington County with the exception of their attendance at Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Florida. They then moved to Montgomery, Alabama, for James to attend business school while Betty worked at Bon Marche Department store. She spoke fondly of living in Montgomery. When they returned to Covington County, Betty was a stay at home mom at times, but often worked at various office jobs when her children were older. Her jobs over the years included Cotton Ford Tractor, Wood Accounting Agency, City of Florala as clerk, aide at W.S. Harlan Elementary, and director of the Senior Center in Florala. She was very proud of her involvement with the Senior Center and was recognized in the Alabama Senior  Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Montgomery. After leaving public employment, Betty worked from home for years filing income taxes.

She sold World Book encyclopedias which suited her personality very well. Betty loved reading, research, and talking with people. She was awarded a vacation in Grand Bay, Alabama, for reaching her goal selling. Her favorite hobbies always included caring for animals. Betty had chickens, cats, and dogs at various times. She was a member of Lockhart Garden Club. She spent many happy hours in her greenhouse and garden. She didn't really want large plants, because she wanted a seed or shoot to challenge her growing abilities. Her roses were a source of pride. If you visited, you were probably going to be given the garden tour. She was well-known for her abilities to turn almost any fruit into excellent jam, jelly, and preserves. She was an avid read and always had a stack of books and magazines nearby. Betty never met a stranger and would quickly strike up a conversation wherever life took her. She had pen pals from a cruise she and James took. 

Betty enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren when they were young, making them blueberry muffins to eat in front of their favorite cartoons and sometimes accompanied by a Snickers milkshake. She was often a poll worker, always active in politics, and a lifelong Democrat. She even ran for mayor of Lockhart at one point. Whatever she did, she did with passion. 

Betty passed away at home. Although she used a walker, she never stopped growing plants and happily piddling. Her latest effort was working with orchids. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M.  Thursday, January 11, 2018,  at Keahey Funeral Home Chapel in Lockhart. Visitation will be an hour before the funeral.  John Bryan will be officiating.  Mrs. Laird will be buried in Red Oak Cemetery. 

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