BAIRD

Thomas Evans Baird, age 85, teacher and church musician, died Tuesday, March 11, 2025 in his home following declining health after a fall resulting in a broken hip. He was born May 4, 1939, the son of Paul and Sara Evans Baird. A native of Kentucky, he moved from Louisville, KY to Manchester, with his family when he was nine years old. After his graduation from Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY, he dedicated his life to the education and support of young people. He was a teacher who loved his students and was always on the side of his kids. He taught choral and instrumental music at Westwood Junior Highschool in Manchester from 1963-1992. Evans musical organizations were recognized throughout the state. At times there were two-thirds of the student body in elective music classes. The renowned Westwood singers toured England twice and Europe three times in exchange programs with youth from other countries. The singers sang in places like the National Cathedral, Washington, DC, Christ Church, Alexandria, VA and Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, VA. As a church musician, Evans always strived for the very best in church music. Among other churches, he served as director of music activities at First United Methodist Church in Manchester for almost 20 years, and Choir Master at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Tullahoma. He served several years as director of a children’s choir festival at the University of the South in Sewanee. Evans was director of the Tullahoma Civic Choir and directed the Manchester Rotary Club Christmas Choirs, which included children and adults for 20 years. He was active in the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, having served as President of the Middle Tennessee Choral Directors Association, and on the board of both the Nashville and Chattanooga American Guild of Organist. Evans also served on the board of the Manchester Coffee County YMCA. He was a member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Tullahoma. In addition to his parents, Evans was preceded in death by his only brother, James David Baird; and a nephew, Thomas Henry Baird. He is survived by one nephew, David Craig Baird of Nashville, several cousins, and friends. Visitation was held on Sunday, March 23, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Tullahoma from 1-2 p.m. with a memorial service following at 2 p.m. There was a private interment at 1 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Adairville, KY on Monday, March 24. Pallbearers will be Craig Baird, Jack Hunter Whitesell, Jesse Walker Whitesell, and Davis Watson. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Evans memory to the charity of your choice.

Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.