Lily Kim Baird

Lily Kim Baird

Lily Kim Baird, 80, of Palmyra, passed away on Thursday, July 5, 2012 joining her loving husband Foster B. Baird who passed away in 2008 and her son Mark R. Baird who passed away in 1965.

She was born September 19, 1931 in Changchin-Gun, North Korea to Chin Sup Kim and Sook Ja Lee and reared by her paternal grandmother having lost both parents during the first year of her life.  She was an only child.  In 1945 when Korea was divided at the 38 parallel, she, at the age of 14, her grandmother and other relatives escaped Communist North Korea, traveling by night and hiding by day.  They arrived in Seoul, South Korea in December 1945.

Having left all their possessions behind, they managed to survive by various means.  Eventually she obtained a job in the home of the Air Attachés, American Embassy, in Seoul.

In June 1950, Seoul was overrun by the Communists. She was unable to escape before the bridge over the Han River was demolished.  Due to her young age it was necessary that she go into hiding, depending on a few older, trusted family and friends.  This was an extremely difficult time for her.

However, upon the American retaking of Seoul several months later her former employer, The Air Attachés, located her and placed her in a Red Cross hospital in Pusan where she was treated for malnutrition and severe malaria.  Upon her recovery she returned to work in Taegu, Korea, where the Attaché officers were then located.

It was here on November 7, 1951 that she met her future husband, an administrative officer to the Military Attachés.  They were married in the 8 ^th Army Chapel, Taegu, Korea on November 1, 1953, and arrived in the United States on December 17, 1953.

She became a citizen of the United States on January 27, 1958 and was extremely proud.  She was persistent in learning our National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance and insisted on flying the American Flag on all occasions.  She was a loyal and active member of Palm Lutheran Church.

She is survived by three daughters, Meda J. Whary and Renée K. Lightner, Palmyra, Kimber L. Emerick, Mountville; one son, Daniel S. Baird, Lebanon; two grandchildren, Mark R. Emerick and Nicole V. Whary.

We welcome family and friends for visitation at 10 AM and funeral services at 11 AM on Tuesday, July 10 ^th at Palm Lutheran Church, 11 W. Cherry St., Palmyra.  Burial will follow at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Caring Cupboard, 131 N. Railroad St. #1, Palmyra, and to Palm Lutheran Church.