Patricia Elaine Baldwin

On March 4th,2024 Patricia Elaine Baldwin went peacefully from this earth to her heavenly home, to be with her Lord and Savior. Born on June 7th, 1950, in San Diego, California to John Rollin Watson, Jr. and Joanne Virginia Donohue Watson, Pat lived a life defined by service, service to God, service to the nation, and service to her fellow man.  She lived and loved with commitment, compassion, and boldness, never wavering in her faith, always available to witness to others, and passionate about life itself.   

Without taking a breath Patricia could tell the adventures of her early life. Patricia's adventurous spirit was kindled early on, moving from California to the then Territory of Alaska as an infant via steamer ship where they lived for 10 years, witnessing statehood, earthquakes, and the construction of the Alaska pipeline and Pan-American highway. From Alaska the family moved overseas to Southeast Asia while Rollin developed infrastructure projects for the Bureau of Public Roads.  After landing in Vientiane, Laos in 1960 the family was immediately evacuated and spent the next several years as American refugees in Thailand and Cambodia while Rollin continued international development work.  The family of six then traveled around Europe for four weeks, lived in Costa Rica for two years and finally settled in Great Falls, VA, all before her 15th birthday.  It was this wayfaring and globe-trotting upbringing that instilled a curiosity and love for cultures, travel, and ministry in Pat.   

Then things got interesting. After graduating from Langley High School (1969) and the Alexandria School of Nursing (1972), Pat commissioned in the United States Navy Nurse Corps.  Her adventures sent her from Boston to Florida to the far reaches of the Aleutian islands, Adak, Alaska. While stationed in Adak she met the man she would share the next 44 years with Thomas Micheal Baldwin (a Naval Aviator). I guess nurses and pilots just go together.  Mike and Pat formed a team that would continue to grow for the next 20 years as they traveled the United States in service of their country. Finally settling down in the suburbs of Washington DC, Pat retired from the Naval Reserves with 26 years of service as a Commander. Together they served their country for a combined total of 47 years. Along the way they had two outstanding boys, both Eagle Scouts and beyond; Lt. Col. Chris Baldwin, US Army, and Tim Baldwin, Law Enforcement Officer.  After retirement from the Navy, Pat managed a home health agency for the next 10 years, continuing her legacy of service to others and caring for the sick and wounded.       

Upon retirement came the next amazing opportunities and blessings for Mike and Ms. Pat in the rural mountain town of Blairsville, GA. They found a home in First Baptist church and began integrating into the community through faith and service.  While there, Pat discovered she need a kidney transplant. Wait for it… At First Baptist, sitting next to her in church was the person who would become her life-long Kidney Sister, Pam Ouzts, the family is forever grateful for the kidney donation that served her strong for 15 years. God had plans for the Baldwin’s. Once Pat received permission to travel, the Baldwins continued to witness and serve the Lord in all corners of Union County, 

serving on the Beacon Mission Team, Women on Mission, working with youth, and the Board of Directors of Hope House, to name a few. Their mission work extended across, the state of Georgia, the USA, and to the far corners of the world, sharing the Gospel and tending to those in need -- from Moldova in eastern Europe, to Thailand, and back to the wilds of Alaska. That nursing degree and training in the US Navy Nursing Corp as a Commander served her well. 

She is survived by her loving and faithful husband and partner, Mike, her two sons, Chris and Tim, and their families, Erika, Benjamin, Madeleine, and Jenn, Bodie, and Grady respectively.   

She is also survived by her sister Janice, and her brother Bill, and was preceded in death by her brother John Rollin Watson III (1954-1999). On the Baldwin side she is survived by brothers-in-laws John, Marty, and Bob, their spouses, and a host of nieces and nephews who are scattered up and down the east coast, mainly in Baltimore, Maryland, and Virginia.   

Visitation will be at First Baptist Church, 296 Blue Ridge Street, Blairsville, GA on Friday March 15th, 2024, from 1100-1200 immediately followed by a Celebration of Life from 1200-1330 in the main sanctuary.   

The family suggests donations to the Beacon Ministry Team at First Baptist Church or a charity of one's choice in lieu of flowers, honoring Patricia's legacy of service and love. 

As we reflect on Patricia's life, we are reminded of the power of faith, love, and hope in action, as described in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Her life was a testament to these virtues, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew her.