Wayne Baldwin

Wayne Baldwin was blessed with 78 earthly years and a family who loved him.  He was born on February 15, 1945 to Ed and Nell Baldwin.  On April 15, 2023 after a few years of declining health, Wayne moved to his eternal home.

Wayne grew up in Ashe County with eight brothers and sisters.  They were always very close and enjoyed spending time together.  The family was very rich in their love for each other and their home was welcoming to many.  Wayne began working at Thomasville Chair Company in June of 1965 where he was a bandsaw operator.  Wayne had a special talent for working with wood.  He could listen to ideas, draw a pattern and make the piece of furniture all in his basement.  Many years he has enjoyed making things for family and friends alike.  When Thomasville closed in 2001 Wayne stayed in touch with many of the friends he made at the plant and would visit them often.  Many he talked to and saw even still.  Wayne also drove a tractor and trailer and a dump truck for several years until he was able to retire.  No matter where he was working, he made friends.

Wayne loved his family.  He was always there for his kids, Johnny and Kelly at events that were important to them.  He enjoyed visiting and helping at their homes with projects they were doing.  Wayne could fix just about anything and he loved to help when he could.

Wayne’s pride and joy came in his four grandchildren.  He wanted to spend as much time with them as he could and will call to check on them often.  He loved to have them to his house.  They helped him work in the garden, pick pears, get rocks out of the creek, work in the basement and learning something most times they were with him.  They loved to play on the zipline he made for them and to just play in the yard.  Wayne would take the kids to places he had worked on the roads and to different parks to play.  As they grew, he never missed a birthday or any events they had at school.

Wayne loved his church family.  He attended Apple Grove Baptist Church faithfully.  He usually was there early to make sure it was warm and liked to check in with everyone before the service started.  He enjoyed taking candy for the kids and was always willing to help with any projects the church was in need of.

Wayne loved children.  Many have been given huge Hershey Bars – Halloween was a time he liked seeing all the kids dressed up.  He would give lots of candy and soda to all that came to his door.  He would keep a count and would call his family to see who had the most kids.

Wayne loved to help with Camp New Hope and the families who visited.  He would go over to the barn on Tuesday nights and help get everything ready for the kids.  He would take the kids on buggy rides or train rides.  He wanted to see the kids smile and to have fun.  He looked forward to getting to know the families and he would tell others about all they were doing.

Wayne spent lots of time giving to others.  He enjoyed visiting those he worked with over the years and was always willing to do things for them when it was needed.  He made sure to donate blood and platelets when he had the opportunity and would buy extra Nilla Wafers for the kids in Kelly’s class at Blue Ridge.  Many things seemed small to him, but all was done with love and was appreciated by many.

Wayne was welcomed home by his mom and dad, Ed and Nell on Saturday night.  In addition to his brothers, Harold and Edward and his sisters in law, Kay and Lorene and brothers in law, Danny, Junior and Kyle.  Many other family members and friends have gone on before him.  One special cousin, Herbert also preceded him.

Wayne left many to miss him.  His wife, Judy, son, Johnny and Vickie and daughter, Kelly and Brian.  He has four grandchildren, Chase Baldwin and fiancé, Abby Aldridge, Cody Ashley, Chloe Ashley and Coleman Baldwin.  Wayne has six sisters, Jean Key, Mildred and Sherman Blevins, Lynda Stevens, Darlene Griffitts, Lois and Kenny Ham and Beverly and Edward Poe.  He has many nieces and nephews.  He also leaves an extended family of cousins who he was very close with.  Many friends and neighbors will miss seeing him out and about.

The one thing Wayne would say to everyone is to know the Lord and to let Him lead your walk daily.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023 at 11:00 am at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel by Rev. Lloyd Day and Pastor Julian Owen.  Burial will follow in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Ashelawn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp New Hope, P.O. Box 154 Glendale Springs, NC 28629; or Apple Grove Baptist Church, c/o Pama Taylor, 3473 Big Horse Creek Rd. Lansing, NC 28643; or Gideon's International, P.O. Box 993 West Jefferson, NC 28694.