Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Bunker Hill Baptist Church in Columbia. Dr. Gary Roberson will officiate the services. Interment will be at New Bunker Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Bunker Hill Baptist Church.

Prudence "Prue" McCullough Laird, age 97, formerly of Columbia, Mississippi, passed away on July 22 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi where she had been living for the past 10 years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Rev. Dr. Douglas L. Laird of Bassfield.

Surviving family members include Dr. Stephen Douglas Laird and wife Dr. Mary Burk Laird, of Kirksville, Missouri; Janetta Laird Clay and husband Dr. James Clay, of Dallas, Texas; and Philip Anthony Laird of Columbia; 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Born in Columbia, Mississippi, November 22, 1927, she was the youngest child of William Robert Edward Lee McCullough and Annie Bell Cooper McCullough of Columbia. Prudence had three older siblings who predeceased her: R.L. McCullough, J.M. McCullough, and Flora Mae McCullough Kelly. As a teenaged girl, Prudence caught the eye of Douglas Laird of Bassfield. They were married on August 12, 1945, and spent 68 years of loving and sharing music and their love of the Lord together.

Prudence was a life-long educator of music, directing choirs, and giving instruction in voice, piano and organ, which she loved. Graduating from Columbia High School, Prudence earned her B.A. from Stephen F. Austin College, and M.A. in music from University of Southern Mississippi, and often said she did not pursue her doctorate because "one doctorate in the family was enough" referring to her husband Doug. During her life, she enjoyed teaching, and while the couple lived in Fort Worth, Texas, Prudence taught at several schools including J.P. Elder, O.D.Wyatt, and Paschal High School where she was Vice Principal.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the caregivers of FirstLight Home Care of Hattiesburg for their exceptional kindness and care. Donations can be made to the Bunker Hill Baptist Church Music Fund in her honor.