Mr. J. C. Laird, 91, died early Monday morning, December 15, 2014, at the Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. Services for Mr. Laird were held on Saturday December 20, 2014, at the Mt. Zion M. B. Church, with Pastor Ozell White officiating. Interment was in the Mt. Zion Cemtery, with Laird Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Laird was the son of the late Jack and Annie Laird of rural Jefferson Davis County. At an early age he joined Mt. Zion Church and remained a member until his death. Mr. Laird served his Lord and church faithfully as chairman of the Trustee Board, usher and bus driver for many years until his health failed.

In 1942, Mr. Laird married the former Willie Mae Thompson of Pike County, and to this union six children were born, one of whom, John Earl, preceded him in death. Mr. Laird was an entrepreneur that earned his livelihood from farming, pulpwood hauling, sugar cane syrup manufacturing, and transportation. In addition, Mr. Laird served his community as a mentor for numerous young men, demonstrating to them how to become a success both economically and as a family man.

Mr. Laird’s survivors include his wife, Willie Mae Laird; five daughters, Ruby (Earnest) Harper, Alice Faye Laird, Annie Lucille Laird, Arlena (George) Funches and Glenda (Terry) Walker, all of Prentiss; a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-granchildren, nieces, and nephews.