Violet Dowless Baldwin

Violet Dowless Baldwin, age 93, of Forrest City, Arkansas, died Friday, August 2, 2019, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Mrs. Baldwin was born November 2, 1925, in Monette, Arkansas, to Joseph Harry Dowless and Virginia Click Dowless. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 63 years, William Thomas Baldwin, Jr., her son, Thomas J. Baldwin, and her sister, Frances Dowless Giles. She graduated from Monette High School at age 16 and Hendrix College at age 19. Her love of history led to a long teaching career in the Forrest City School District. Mrs. Baldwin is survived by her children, David Baldwin (Ruth) of Forrest City, and Dian Baldwin Bacon (Robert) of Fayetteville. She is also survived by grandchildren, Blakely Baldwin Berry (Russell) of Forrest City, Trey Baldwin of North Little Rock, Katie Bacon and Bill Bacon of Fayetteville; niece, Gini Talley and nephew, Joe Giles, along with many great friends. Mrs. Baldwin was a lifelong Methodist and long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Forrest City. She served as chair of the Historical Committee for 25 years and continued her involvement as an emeritus member of that committee. Her work enabled the church to be designated on the National Register of Historic Places. Because of her commitment to historical preservation, Preserve Arkansas bestowed First United Methodist Church of Forrest City the 2017 Award for Outstanding Preservation Reporting for the "Methodist Moments" radio program. She was a member of the Henry Williams Sunday School Class, the United Methodist Women's Afternoon Circle, Delta Kappa Gamma, Musical Coterie, the Arkansas Education Association and served as president of the Forrest City Education Association. She was an avid golfer and bridge player and loved reading and following current events. Mrs. Baldwin chose to donate her body to the Genesis Legacy Whole Body Donation Foundation. (www.genesislegacy.org). A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 6, at 2 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Forrest City, with a reception following the service. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Henry Williams Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church/Historical Committee, P.O. Box 66, Forrest City, Arkansas, 72336.