Mildred Dianne Sanders Laird

Mildred Dianne Sanders Laird, 79, of Cedar Creek, Ark. passed away on Dec. 20, 2014. She was born March 4, 1935 in Harvey, Ark. to Lloyd Sanders and Chloe Abbott Sanders. Mildred graduated from Waldron High School in 1953. She earned a bachelors degree in education with a major in music from Arkansas Polytechnic College in 1957. She returned to Arkansas Tech later and completed her masters degree in education. She was a devoted teacher within the Waldron Public School system for 38 years, in which she impacted the lives of countless students before retiring in 1995. On July 5, 1959 she married John Quinton Laird Jr. They were married 50 years before his passing on May 8, 2010. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She leaves behind two sons, John Barry Laird and wife, Barbara of Springdale, Ark. and James Addison Laird and wife, Roselyn of Rogers, Ark. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Adriane and husband, Luis Iracheta of Pottsville, Ark., Laura and husband, Edgar Mendez of Pea Ridge, Ark., Jackie and husband, Todd Ross of Little Rock, Ark., Jennifer Laird of Springdale, Ark., Mandy and husband, DJ Kirn of Pea Ridge, Ark., Anthony Laird and Addison Kate Laird of Rogers, Ark. She also leaves behind five great-grandchildren, Sophie Iracheta, David Iracheta, Haley Laird, Alexander Mendez and Noah Mendez. Visitation will be Monday Dec. 22, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Martin funeral home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014 at the Cedar Creek Community Church, with interment at Sanders Cemetery under the direction of Martin Funeral Home in Waldron, Ark. Pallbearers will be Tom Laird, Mike Laird, Randy Bennett, David Williams, Kris Williams and David Vickers. Online condolences may be sent at www.martinfuneralhomes.com.