Obituary
Vanita May Baldwin, born in Oak Hill, FL in 1926. Died on February 20, 2022 in her Jacksonville home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Van Buren and Mary Mosby Baldwin, Sr.; brothers: V. B. (“Boo”) Baldwin, Jr. (Arley), Charles (“Boostie”) Baldwin (Patty); sisters: Florence (“Hun”) Meares (A.W.), Jeanne Wheeler (Fred), and Frances Johnson (Robert). She has 10 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews. She is survived by her long-time friend, Frances Shaw.
Vanita Baldwin was a graduate of NSB High School and Stetson University (1948). After graduate studies at Duke University, she received a Master of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX. In 1989 she was awarded “Outstanding Stetson Alumni,” and in 1990 received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Stetson University.
She taught at Faulkner St. elementary school and in the Panama Canal Zone. Working with Woman’s Missionary Union for more than 45 years, Dr. Baldwin served as Associate Director in Alabama, and State Director in New Mexico, and Florida. She retired in 1991 and remained in her home in Jacksonville, a faithful member of the Southside Baptist Church until her death.
Dr. Baldwin served on numerous committees of National Woman’s Missionary Union, Southern Baptist Convention, as well as the WMU Foundation and Florida Baptist Financial Services for six years each.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Gifts may be sent to Woman’s Missionary Union, SBC, Second Century Fund (WMU Foundation), 100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242 or Southside Baptist Church, 1435 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216.
Life Celebration will be 1:00 PM Thursday, February 24 at First Baptist Church Oak Hill. The family will receive friends starting at Noon. Committal will follow at Edgewater-New Smyrna Cemetery.
Also, a Memorial Life Celebration service will be 11:00 AM Saturday, February 26 at Southside Baptist Church Jacksonville.
Be blessed faithful Servant