MARY LAIRD

JACKSON -- Mary Laird, 66, of Jackson, died Thursday, March 16, 1995, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born May 10, 1928, in St. Louis, daughter of Arthur F. and Cora Meyer Deneke.

Laird was a graduate of Central High School and attended Southeast Missouri State University.

She gave organ and piano lessons in her home 35 years, and also had done china painting in her home since 1974.

Laird was former organist at Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau and New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson, and was currently organist at First Presbyterian Church here.

She was organist at the family owned former Deneke-Laird Funeral Home at Jackson, and had been staff organist at McCombs Funeral Home for 30 years.

Laird was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, First Presbyterian Church and its Perdue-Lear Circle, served on the church evangelism and worship committee, and was a former member of Chapter BJ of P.E.O.

Survivors include three sons, Steve and Rick Laird of Jackson, Randy Laird of Seattle, Wash.; a daughter Mar Nell Staley of Cape Girardeau, and three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Friends may call at McCombs Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Grant Gillard officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park at Cape Girardeau.