Pierce Burney Baldwin, Sr

MR. PIERCE BALDWIN DEAD

Thursday morning, December 22 at nine o'clock the news of the death of Pierce Baldwin spread rapidly over the town and county and although his death was not unexpected, when the tidings came a sadness and gloom pervaded the very air. Friends and relatives came to pay their beloved dead the last tribute of respect and affection and regret, and on Friday afternoon at the First Methodist church a large throng gathered for the funeral services which were conducted by Rev. S.A. Harris. The service was preached by Rev. A.W. Quillian. The interment was in the family lot in the new cemetery. The pall bearers were: Messrs. Paul Reid, Roy Lambert, Ernest Epps, Eugene Malcom, Lem Baker, Fred Ingram.

At our request Mrs. William Baldwin has prepared for us the following sketch of the life of this young man and in her limped classic English his life may now be traced.

In Memoriam

Pierce Burney Baldwin was born 35 years ago at the old family home in Shepherd's District, Morgan county. He was the youngest child of Captain Charles W. Baldwin and Mrs. Annie Shepherd Baldwin, there being in the family seven sons and one daughter. He was endowed with such a lovely, tender disposition that the whole family loved him with an unusual devotion.

When quite a little lad, the family moved to Madison and his early years were spent in the very home where he died. There he played with the Burneys and the Waltons, and with them and the other children that lived on "The Hill" he went daily to the public schools.

In early life four great sorrows came to sadden his life. He lost both parents, his only sister and oldest brother. After his father's death he lived for a time with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. R.M. Patillo, in Cartersville. He learned to love them dearly and always looked forward to his visits with them. Later he attended school in Atlanta and spent his vacations in his old home with his brother William.

When he was 23 years old he was married to Miss Antoinette Snellings, of Madison. To them were born three children. The first, a daughter, Nettie Snellings, lived only three years but even in those few years she endeared herself to everyone who knew her and her death was a deep sorrow to all her relatives. His other children, Pierce Jr. and Alcie, with their mother, survive him.

For years he was Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts, and was always glad when he could do anything for the pleasure or profit of his boys. "Mr. Pierce," as they lovingly called him, was always ready for a camp or hike, and would put aside his own pleasure to be of service to them. He was a member of the Methodist church and had faithfully served it in several offices.

Several years ago he moved to his old home and superintended farms for his brother Mr. W.W. Baldwin. His genial disposition made him especially efficient in managing labor and he was a very successful farmer.

Pierce and his family were very happy until about a year ago when his frequent illness casts its shadow over them. It began to be apparent that he was seriously ill. He was lovingly nursed by his dear wife and other loved ones and given the very best medical attention but he steadily grew worse until last Thursday when God released his spirit from his pain-racked body and took him to the Home where there is no pain. Peacefully, without one struggling breath, he went to sleep.

Pierce Baldwin was so free from jealousy or envy; so generous and kind; so interested and glad when a friend was fortunate; so sympathetic and loving when one was unfortunate, that he drew about him many friends. He not only had friends among the young people but was especially loving and attentive to elderly people.

With just enough faults to be human, Pierce lived out his short life. We who loved him would call his death untimely, but who can say at what age one should pass from this life to the more abundant life. Our Father, in His wisdom, knows when the work he has given us to do is finished. He knows where he needs us most. His tender voice calls us and his child, worn-out with sorrow, pain, care and worldly strife, gladly answers, closes his eyes on this world and is forever with His Lord.

Page 2 of The Madisonian, published in Madison, Georgia on Friday, December 30th, 1921