Evangelyn Crystal Baird

Evangelyn “Angie” Crystal (Smith) Baird, 91, of Clarence, Iowa, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.Angie was born on November 10, 1934, in Ottawa, Illinois, the daughter of George Albert and Ida Elisabeth (Vernon) Smith. She was one of three daughters, growing up alongside her sisters, Elisabeth and Virginia. As the daughter of a pastor, much of her childhood was spent in church and in faith-centered activities that shaped her lifelong devotion to service.

Angie graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1952, and later earned her associate’s degree in accounting from Kansas City Kansas Community College. She was the proud mother of four children: Rick, Diane, Karen, and Kevin. On January 12, 2002, she married Richard Eugene Baird in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and together they shared 24 years of marriage filled with companionship, travel, and shared joy.

Angie served as Vice President of IT for Heart of America Family Services, retiring after 27 years of dedicated work. Her love of bluegrass music brought her great happiness, and it was through bluegrass festivals that she and Rich first met and fell in love. Together, they traveled with their trailer to festivals throughout Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, and beyond.

Creative at heart, Angie enjoyed scrapbooking and lovingly crafted many beautiful books. In her younger years, she bowled with the “Skinny Minis” league. She was deeply involved in her church community, teaching Sunday School, children’s Bible studies, and Wednesday night youth groups for many years. Even into her senior years, she remained active on her phone and computer—no surprise for someone with her expertise in IT.

Above all, Angie cherished her family. She adored her grandchildren, and her years of wisdom shaped her into a devoted and wonderful grandmother. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will miss her deeply.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at Fry Funeral Home in Tipton. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m., with Reverend Dave King officiating. Burial will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mechanicsville.

Angie is survived by her husband, Richard Baird; her children, Rick (Vicki) Power, Diane (Roger) McCrummen, Karen Moore, and Kevin Power; her sister, Elisabeth Hann; her grandchildren, David Power, Rachel Campbell, Katherine Evangelyn Jenkins, Abigail Carr, Gabriel McCrummen, Adam Moehlman, Emily Crystal Kirk, Jason Moehlman, Ericka Faddis, Kendra Power, Amanda Power, Ember Dellaire, and Summer Power; and 27 wonderful great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her grandson, Daniel Moore; and her sister, Virginia Phillips.