Anna Nellrena Laird, 78, of Hobe Sound, Florida, died Saturday, October 28, at the Trustbridge Hospice Center in Jupiter, Florida. She was born November 27, 1938, to Nellie and Gaines Bazelle in Mobile, Alabama.
She leaves behind her husband of 55 years, Woodward Vernon Laird; her daughter Kayla Laird Martin, her favorite son-in-law Harold Martin, and four grandsonsEthan, Collin, Landon, and Dylan, all of Hobe Sound, Florida. Nellrena is also survived by her brother Tyrus Gaines Bazelle of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. She was predeceased by her daughter Dawn Laird and sister Diane Bazelle.
Although she was born in Alabama, she moved to Ponchatoula, Louisiana, when she was still an infant and always considered it home.
Nellrena was saved as a young child and never looked back! Jesus truly was her everything. Her life verse was Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms."
In 1962 she married the love of her life. She had seen Woodie Laird around town and decided he was the one for her. When his best friend asked her out, she unashamedly told him, "I won't go out with you, but I will go out with your friend." Thus started a lifelong romance.
She had always dreamed of being a mother and having a house full of children. Therefore, the news that they would never be able to have children of their own was devastating. Shortly after, they decided to pursue adoption. In 1967 they adopted their first child Dawn Diana. Her love of children was so strong that she also became a foster parent and fostered multiple children over the years. In 1974 they were shocked to discover they could have a child after all and their second child Kayla was born.
Although she could cook up the best gumbo you ever tasted, she did not like to be in the kitchen. Gardening and decorating were the hobbies she enjoyed the most.
To her family she was known as a prayer warrior, a counselor, and a peace maker. It was a common occurrence for relatives to call or drop by to seek her advice or to just spend time in her presence. She will be deeply missed!
Heaven truly gained an angel on October 28, 2017. We rejoice to know that she is reunited with loved ones who went before her and that she is basking in the refuge of the everlasting arms!
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, November 2, at Hobe Sound Bible Church in Hobe Sound, Florida. Friends will be received from 10 AM until 11 AM. Burial will be at Fern Hill Cemetery in Stuart, Florida.