Georgia Lea Baird, always known as “Sue”, 85 years old, died in her sleep with her loved ones continually by her side giving her last breath the morning of May 5, 2015. Born to Fornadia (Pat) and George McKeehan on April 11, 1930 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, raised in New Mexico and on to California, she was blessed with two sisters, Lucy (Tito) Stipek and Whetonia (Toni) Orsenico.

She was married at a young age to Neal Oester and was living in Santa Ana when the Flood of 19464 in Humboldt County was all over the news. When the decision was made to uproot her family and make a move for a new life change, she packed up everything, along with her three teenage children, and headed for the unknown. She never looked back.

She went to school and received her real estate license and then her brokers license. She went to work for Campton Heights Realty and was soon joined by her sister, Lucy Stipek. In 1970, Sue established Six Rivers Real Estate. She went on to become Red Carpet SRRE, where her daughter, Debi August, joined her, and finally Coldwell Banker SRRE, where her other daughter, Rhonda Meehan, joined her. She succeeded where others failed.

Some may remember her driving her red Cadillac and the many real estate floats she entered during the rodeo parades and events in the town of Fortuna.

A member of Humboldt County Association of Realtors since 1967, Sue earned the distinction and honor of being a CAR Member-for-Life and a NAR Realtor® Emeritus. She also held the prestige of being named Realtor of the Year, President of the Board of Realtors and California Association of Realtors Region One Chair for Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. She also started the MLS tour in Fortuna back in the ‘70s — she loved Fortuna and saw no reason her City should be left out.

Along with a couple other business ladies, she started the Soroptimist International of Eel River Valley and became a lifetime member. She was a member of the Fortuna Planning Commission for several years.

She met, fell in love with and married Harvey Baird in November of 1971. He taught her how to swim in the ocean and pluck abalone off the rocks. He took her hunting for deer and chukars. They went camping, where she came to the conclusion that her way of roughing it was a hotel with a black-and-white TV set. They loved taking long drives into the mountains looking for deer and other animals. Just being together was their special times.

She loved to collect antiques and dolls, she enjoyed decorating her window at home with her dolls for the holidays – Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, Autorama, Rodeo, Halloween, etc. She had the dolls and the props for all occasions. People from all over looked forward to seeing her displays.

She was always there for her family. She worried about them and prayed for them. She was and she will always be loved and adored. No one was more proud of her then her husband and family.

She was preceded in death by her sisters and parents. She lost her son, James Charles Oester, while he was in the service for our country in 1968 at the age of 21. A part of her died with him. They are finally together now.

She leaves behind her husband, Harvey Baird who will miss her dearly; her daughters, Rhonda Meehan and Deborah August (husband Paul), all from Fortuna; grandchildren Tonya Horvath, Yvonne Roberts, James Roberts, Wendy Medders, Bill Dobberstein, Tracy Singleton; 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Also, two nieces — Chonnie Yochum and Shelly Warriner – and one nephew, Danny Stipek; several great-nieces and nephews all who loved her; stepchildren Jesse Baird, Colley Baird (wife Phillis), Griff Baird (wife Wonda); Tana Bryan (husband Jerry). Grandchildren, Jocelyn Baird, Colleen Baird, Jeremy Baird, Kindra Quinton, Alex Gray-Baird, Chandler Baird, Austin Baird, Jordan Baird, YouJay Baird, Keely Baird & Fame Baird; 14 great-grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren.

Sue has been put to rest at the Pioneer Cemetery off Kenmar Road in Fortuna. A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor at the River Lodge on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 1 p.m. We will have a special time starting at 2 p.m. for those of you who would like to share a time of remembrance. Please come by and pay your respects and share your experiences about this beautiful lady.

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The above obituary was submitted by Sue Baird’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.