Evelyn Johnson-Baird
Age - 87
October 27, 2023
Evelyn Joan (Sweet) Johnson-Baird, daughter of Ralph and Iva (Lynes) Sweet, was born near Vici, Oklahoma on January 5, 1936. Evelyn was the youngest of eight children. She went to the Lord on October 26, 2023. Evelyn attended Vici Public Schools where she played basketball and was the high school band majorette. She was a proud member of the Class of 1954. Evelyn kept in touch with her classmates and decorated a car each year for her classmates to ride in the Vici Homecoming parade. During high school, Evelyn fell in love with Leland Johnson and they married on May 23, 1954 at The First Christian Church of Vici. Three children--Joni, Kenton, and Rae Ann--blessed this happy union. Evelyn was an exceptional mother, but she kicked into high gear when she became a grandmother. She started making baby quilts five years before her first grandchild was born. "Honey" loved the first one, Luke Kruse, with pure devotion and with each additional grandchild--Kelsey Kruse, Sam Stallings, Kait Johnson, and Sydney Johnson--her love multiplied. Evelyn will be remembered by her family and friends for her outgoing personality and love of creating--sewing her children's clothes, custom cake decorating, gardening, woodworking, quilting, and interior design. Decades before Pinterest or Martha Stewart, Evelyn was throwing themed parties with homemade invitations, matching cakes, decorations, and fun costumes. She and Leland were active with everything involving their children--especially coaching little league at Kid's Inc. in Woodward, OK--and later, never missed a high school ball game. After the children graduated, Leland and Evelyn were members of the National Horseshoe Pitching Association and very busy in state and national competitive horseshoe pitching. Evelyn held the state record for the highest percentage of ringers in a game. Leland preceded Evelyn in death on May 24, 1992. Evelyn's brother-in-law, Edwin Johnson, had recently lost his wife. It was a difficult time for both Evelyn and Ed, and they found consolation in each other. They were already "family" so it was a natural thing for them to marry on March 13, 1994. Ed passed away May 6, 2009. Evelyn later met L. D. Baird and was immediately smitten. After dating for a few weeks, they married on March 27, 2011. L. D. was a constant companion during her last years. Her children joked that Evelyn was "really good" at picking husbands as all three were jewels. Aside from her family, Evelyn cherished the friendships that meant so much to her. She loved to play cards with her dear friends Anita and Vernon Peck; Chub and Joy Shaw; or take girl trips with Lynda Peck and Bonnie Cole. She was blessed with a lifetime of beloved friends who brought her so much joy and laughter. Evelyn managed The Angel's Loft and considered this volunteerism as an extension of her life-long service to the Vici First Christian Church. Her faith in God sustained her throughout the hard times and enriched her good times. She was involved with the Vici First Christian Church for almost nine decades and loved the people she worshipped with her entire life. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Leland Johnson and Edwin Johnson; daughter Joni (Johnson) Stallings; six siblings; lots of brothers-in law, sisters-in law; and a few nieces and nephews. Evelyn is survived by L. D. Baird, her children and their spouses--Kenton and Betty Johnson of Norman and Rae Ann and Tim Kruse of Stillwater. Grandchildren Luke and Ashley Kruse; Kelsey and Chazz Grey; Sam Stallings; Kait Johnson, and Sydney Johnson. Her great grandchildren are Lexi Kruse, Silas Kruse, Autumn Grey, and Rory Grey. She is also survived by her sister, Lena Mae Regan, many nieces, nephews, and more friends than one can imagine To plant Memorial Trees in memory of , please .Show more
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