Chennie Baird

Obituary

Chennie Sampson Baird was born on March 11, 1953, in the village of Moriah, on the island of Tobago. She was the daughter of Ennis and Isabella Sampson, and she grew up in a home full of brothers and sisters.

In the Sampson home, faith came first. Chennie and her siblings were taught from their earliest years to be Christians and to live upright lives. Chennie would be the first to tell you she was not perfect. But she held on to that foundation for the rest of her life.

Her first job was as the school secretary at Harmon’s High School. From there, she moved to Republic Bank. She worked her way up to become the Branch Manager’s Secretary, a position she held until she left for the United States in 1988.

On December 1, 1977, Chennie married Holbein Baird. In 1982, they welcomed their daughter, Amanda. In the years that followed, Holbein’s son, Kurt, joined the family. Chennie was also stepmother to Sharon and Shawn.

She was deeply involved at the Scarborough SDA Church, especially in youth ministry. Her home was always open. It was common to stop by and find young people hanging out, or an AY meeting in progress. Chennie took those young people under her wing and mentored many of them. Some went on to become doctors, lawyers, and pastors. And some of them are sitting here with us today.

In 1988, Chennie migrated to the United States and settled in New York City where she built a career across banking, insurance, and law. Through it all, she kept volunteering at church and serving.

On September 11, 2001, Chennie was on her way to work when the towers came down. Had she been on time, she would have been among those lost. She later told the story of walking from what is now Ground Zero all the way to her sister’s home in the Bronx. She was so covered in ash and soot that when she spoke, you could see only her eyes and her teeth.

In the years that followed, she lived with many physical challenges. But she did not let them define her. In her own words: “I thank God that, in spite of the many mountains, He has enabled me to be courageous.” She stayed determined to be an example in God’s work.

She never stopped serving. In her later years, she was an Executive Advisor to the Trinidad and Tobago American Adventist Association, bringing together her love for God, for her homeland, and for her community here.

Chennie fell asleep on October 30, 2026, at the age of 73. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ennis and Isabella Sampson; her stepson, Kurt; and her brother Wayne.

Sleep in peace, Chennie, until the blessed hope of resurrection morning.