Joan Arlene Baird Meetze

Joan graduated from Palm Beach High School in Florida in 1957 with Burt Reynolds and George Hamilton. She attended Junior College in Cocoa Beach Florida, and then graduated from the Greenville General Hospital School of Nursing of South Carolina, in 1962. Upon graduation, she commissioned as a Lieutenant in the US Army and served as an Army Nurse during Vietnam for 4 years. She soon met her husband Baker R. Meetze Jr, also serving in the US Army. She continued to work as a civilian RN for several hospitals and doctors in Columbia, SC until retirement.

Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 am on October 15, 2022 at The Bethel Lutheran Church Cemetery in White Rock SC.

A native of West Palm Beach and Cocoa Beach Florida, Joan B Meetze, was born on October 15, 1939, to Dewey and Grace Baird, and had one older brother, Gene Baird. Both her father and brother served in the US Navy.

Joan was a sweet and kind mother and lover of animals, small children, and hard work. She was strict but also had a great sense of humor and laughed loudly at everyone’s jokes, even the dumb dad jokes. She encouraged her sons to attend The Citadel and to serve their country. She encouraged them to be successful by hard work and studying. She was very proud of her boys and bragged about them to her friends and co-workers. She often mentioned her greatest accomplishment was her two boys.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Columbia for 50 years, where she taught Sunday School and helped with special needs children.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Baker R Meetze, Jr, of Irmo, SC, her brother Gene Baird, his wife Norma Jean Baird, and nephew, Ronnie Baird, all of Merritt Island, Fla.

She is survived by two sons, Gerald and Andy Meetze, their wives Kristen and Ashley Meetze, her “adopted” daughter Cindy Meetze, and seven grandchildren, Dylan, Luke, Drew, Camden, Grace, Casey, and Grady. All living in Chapin, SC. She is also survived by her brother’s children Richard Baird of Orlando Fla and Jeanette Holder of Merritt Island Fla and their families.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com