Mrs. Mary Fern Williams Baldwin

Mrs. Mary Fern Williams Baldwin, age 89 of Hillsville, Virginia went to be with our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 3, 2015. She was born on June 21, 1925 to the late John P. and Grace Rorrer Williams in Stuart, Virginia. She was one of eleven children who grew up in the depression era. She met her late husband, Charles Dean Baldwin, and his two sons, Roger Baldwin and Dean Baldwin of Lee High, Florida. They married and resided in Gary, Indiana. Four more children followed, Brenda Baldwin Houchens of Waukesha, Wisconsin, W. Joseph Baldwin of Galax, Virginia, Glenn Baldwin of Kenosha, Wisconsin and Charles Edward Baldwin of Fancy Gap, Virginia. In addition to her husband and parents, Mary was preceded in death by her step-son, Roger Baldwin; three sisters, Juanita "Betty" Rogers, Bernice Shaffer, Tecora Quesenberry; three brothers, Jimmy Lee, John A. "Buck" and Robert Burns "Bob" Williams; two nephews, Delano Tatum and Timmy Quesenberry; and three nieces, Gracie Rakes, Judy Mabry and Kathy Padgett.

Mary was a very strong-willed, independent woman with a great work ethic. She retired from US Steel and moved to Sebring, Florida for the sunshine. Eventually, her love for the fresh mountain air called her to finally reside in Hillsville, Virginia. Known to most as "Grandma" or "Miss Mary", she loved to sit on her front porch and "people watch" especially during the annual Hillsville Flea Market event. Her house was a gathering place for her two local grandkids, Ashley and C.J. Baldwin, as well as all of their friends. Her home was always open and anyone was welcome. Just like any loving grandma, her kitchen was always stocked with Pepsi and cookies. Although she will be greatly missed, her legacy will live on in those who survive her.
In addition to her children and step-son, Mary is survived by sixteen grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren; two sisters, India "Dot" Haynes of Mount Airy, North Carolina and Gennell Williams of Bassett; two brothers, Frank D. Williams of Sparta, North Carolina and Joel Patman "Pat" Williams of Elkin, North Carolina.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart with Elder Donnie Conner officiating. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.





Safely Home
I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! But Jesus' love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on
Could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still:
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's will.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand. Do it now,
While life remaineth – You shall rest in
Jesus' land. When the work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home; Oh, the
Rapture of that meeting, Oh, the joy to
See you come!