Goldie Cecelia Baldwin, 92, St. Joseph, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, July 27, 2024 to join her Savior, Jesus Christ. Goldie was born September 15, 1931 to loving parents Alfred Regan and Cassie Myree (Reynolds) DeSpain.
Living her younger years in Rushville she attended Block Elementary, a one room school, Rushville High School and Benton High School. Goldie married the love of her life, William Calvin "Babe" Baldwin on April 2, 1948. They were married for 56 wonderful years, having been blessed with a loving family of two sons and a daughter. The most important thing in her life was her family. She loved her family unconditional and would walk a million miles for each one. Her grandchildren of many took precedence. She always wanted the best for everyone. She enjoyed the times she had with her children as they grew, cherished Family get-togethers at her home, loved her two cats Tiny and Grace, and doing what she could to make a difference.
Goldie enjoyed writing poetry and song writing and in doing so, had a song set to music. She was involved in Hosea PTA, South Side Community Development, and South Side Fall Festival as a volunteer for many years. She assisted with setting up the booths and served as Grand Marshall along with her daughter in 2015. Goldie enjoyed sewing, gardening, helping her daughter with floral arranging, and keeping up with all her family members.
She loved spending time with her grandchildren of many and teaching them whatever she could. She was a Christian and member of Carnegie Baptist Church for several years where she attended and taught Sunday school. Later on she became a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. Goldie worked many places throughout her lifetime: Big Smith, Nellie Don, Standard Brands, Sherman Drug Store, Plymouth Department Store, and retiring from The St. Joseph School District where she was a baker at Benton High School for several years.
Goldie was preceded in death by parents; sisters: Rose Boyles, Mary Arnold and brothers: Roy Ben, and Alfred DeSpain, best friend Deloris Rains Justus.
Survivors are Sons: Col. Danny Baldwin, Retired U.S. Army and wife Linda, Roger Baldwin and wife Belinda, Daughter: April Baldwin, grandchildren: Charlotte Prine, Sean, Andrew (Kim), Jeremy (Patricia), Joshua (Amy), Vance Baldwin, and Roger Holmes, great-grandchildren: Quinton, Taylor, & Ethan Baldwin, Ivory O'Meara (Preston). Daniel, William, Steven & David Prine, Aleza Mae Piveral, Chrise and Joe Delucio, Zavier, Mia and Raya Holmes, and Taya, great-great-grandchildren: Oakleigh Baldwin, Dreyton, Royce and Indy O’Meara, Anthony and Gabrielle Delucio, sister: Sally Tietz, niece of the home, Betsy DeSpain, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, nieces by marriage: Jackie Umphress, and Connie Hamilton. Best friends: Dorothy Conard Stegall, and Willie Lou Inman.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Thursday, with a funeral service starting at 7:00 pm Thursday, August 1, 2024, Pastor Leanna VanZandt Nauman officiating. The interment will be at 10:00 am Friday at the Mount Auburn Cemetery.
