Robert Warren Baldree

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Robert Warren Baldree. 89, of Donie passed away Jan. 5, 2018 at Providence Hospice Care in Waco. Services were held at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, at at Eighth Ave. Baptist Church in Teague with Bro. Roy Prather and Bro. Shaun Sifford offi ciating. Visitation with the family was at 10 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Interment followed the services at Cotton Gin Cemetery. Baldree was born in Teague on July 31, 1928 to A.W. and Kate Westbrook Baldree. He was in the class of 1948 at Teague High School. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1948 and served in the Korean Confl ict until 1952 on the U.S.S. Boxer Aircraft Carrier. After the Navy he moved to Dallas and worked for Murray Gin Supply Company as a purchasing agent. The company changed names many times and he retired from the Manhattan Supply Company in 1990. On Jan. 27, 1956 he married his soul mate for life, Estelle Van Dyke. They were married 61 years and have two daughters Ann Renee born Aug. 7, 1959 and Carol Joyce born Oct. 8, 1961. Robert was ordained as a deacon in 1960 at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. After retirement the couple moved to Donie, Texas in 1991 and he has served as a deacon at Eighth Ave. Baptist Church for 27 years. Baldree was a godly man, loved the Lord and was truly the spiritual leader of his family. He never met a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone, mostly on the bench at Wal- Mart and by the time they parted ways, he realized he was kin to those people somehow. He loved his family and always concerned about their well-being. He loved his church and there was never a doubt as to where he and his family would be on Sunday or any other time the church doors were open. Robert was known as “Sonny” to his family and close friends and “Nubbin” to his class mates. He loved John Wayne movies and loved to sit and listen to music from Jim Reeves, Nat King Cole, Tennessee Ernie Ford and all Gospel music. Sweets were his favorite and especially pound cake. Baldree was preceded in death his daughter, Ann Ridge, parents A.W. and Kate Westbrook Baldree, two sisters, Dorothy Harris and Laverne Dunlap. Robert is survived by his wife of 61 years, Estelle Van Dyke Baldree of Donie, his daughter Carol Emola of Forney, his granddaughter, Shelby Arthur and husband Chris Arthur of Forney and two great-grandsons, Jackson and Alisdair Arthur, and a son-inlaw George “Franky” Ridge of Wortham and lifelong friends, Sherryl Manning of Duncan, Okla. and Cindy Manning of College Station. Visit bowersfuneralhome.net to sign the memorial guestbook or to leave a message for the family.

The Teague Chronicle

319 Main Street • P.O. Box 631
Teague, Texas 75860
Office: (254) 739-2141
Fax: (254) 739-2144