Audrey Anders Laird, Natchez

1921 - 2008

NATCHEZ — Funeral services for Audrey A. Laird, 86, of Natchez, who died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at her residence, will be 11 a.m. Tuesday from Laird Funeral Union Street Chapel with the Rev. Bernard Waites officiating. Burial will follow at Enlow Cemetery in the Buffalo community. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Laird Funeral Home.
Mrs. Laird was born May 26, 1921, in Wilkinson County, the daughter of James Monroe and Ora Lanehart Anders. She was the former owner of Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio for 15 years. Her avid love of music dated back to early childhood, when her mother, also a singer, taught her to read shape notes from hymn books, enabling her to sing with Stamps Gospel quartette groups. She was a self-taught pianist, and made many musician friends, especially with her special friend and music partner, Maxine Strickin, with whom she spend a number of years performing as the Natchez Duo, the two of them spending many years as volunteers entertaining in local nursing homes and at local functions. Being active in Natchez civic life, she was a member of the Krewe of Phoenix, the Moose Lodge, Community Hospital Friends Five-O Group, Senior 50 Group and other social activities. She will be missed by her many friends and associates.
She was preceded in death by her parents;a brother, Hillrie Anders; and a sister, Myrtle Louise Perry.
Survivors include her sister, Wanze Anders Poindexter; nieces Connie Tucker and Shelvie McGuire; nephew Lester Perry; numerous cousins, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Pallbearers will be Glenn Henry, Mike Tucker, Jeffery Tucker, Eric Grantham, Tommy Evans, Bill Evans and Anthony Tucker.
Memorials may be given to the Enlow Cemetery Fund, Wilkinson County or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.
The family would like to thank her loving caregivers, Angelina Henry, Professional Sitting Services and Community Hospice of America. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lairdfh.com.