Retha Anelia Laird, wife of Nolan L. Laird, grew up in Florala.  She was born January 20, 1944, the daughter of Leamon and Willie Bell Holloway.  She married her life-long husband, Nolan, February 9, 1962.  Anelia, as she was known to family and friends, is survived by Nolan Laird, son Wesley Laird (Deidra) of Opp, Remia Robertson (Ricky) of Dothan, Shanda Cassidy (Jamie) of Paxton, Florida, five grandchildren, Sheena Cassady, Laken Laird Patton (David), Leah Laird McCain (Ben), Gabriel Cassidy, and Eden Cassidy, one great grandson, Jaxston Brown, and her only sibling, sister, Theresa Chandler.

She was a "second mother" to many other children as well, and never hesitated to help someone in need.

Anelia Laird passed away at home on Race Track Road in Florala, where Nolan Laird and her caregivers had taken extraordinary care of her during her extended illness.  She crossed the finish line of her Walk to End Alzheimer's on January 12, 2020..

Anelia not only worked before her illness to make home a place everyone enjoyed hanging out, laughing, and eating her country cooking and amazing cakes and pies, but also decorated many birthday and wedding cakes for others, and still found time to drive tractors and haul peanuts on the farm with Nolan.  She made wreaths and flower arrangements, sewed, and loved hunting, fishing, and most genres of music.  Most of all, she loved making crafts and doing things on the farm with her grandchildren, and traveling places with Nolan.

Anelia Laird taught Sunday School and led the choir at Lockhart Baptist Church, where she and Nolan were baptized and became members together in 1973.  She was a long-time member of the Garden Club and Florala Civic Club, and as PTA President at W.S. Harlan led the fundraising drive to install the first air conditioners in the schools.

She was well known for helping others in the community in times of need, her fierce independence, and her amazing strength in the face of adversity.

She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by her devoted husband and family.

Visitation will be at Evans Funeral Home in Florala, Alabama on Monday January 13, 2020 at 6 o'clock in the evening.  Services will be held at Evans Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 10 o'clock in the morning, with burial to follow in Laird Family Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Please join us in remembering Retha Anelia Laird by visiting our Memorial at evansfuneralhomeal.com. Through this site we invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family.