BAUCUM, Wynona Grace: 1922 – 2011

Wynona Grace Baucum peacefully left this life Sunday, October 30, 2011, around 2 a.m. surrounded by her family. The last 2 weeks of her time was spent in the company of many friends and her husband, children, grandchildren and a new great-grandchild. An atmosphere of peace and love made our letting go of “Nana” a gift to remember.

Born in Tipton, Oklahoma October 3, 1922, to Madge and Clarence Bailey, she had a idyllic childhood. With no siblings she became a great lover of animals which included a pet pig and rooster that rode in the car with her and captivated the imagination of her grandchildren. She married James Donald Baucum of Altus, Oklahoma in January 1943, and followed her husband as he served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. They began their family shortly after the war and had three children starting in 1947. Teaching in northern Oklahoma for a short while and then moving to Quanah where they raised their family the next forty years. During this time Wynona finished her teaching degree at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls and Don left his school administration office to enter banking with a close friend. Wynona retired from teaching after 25 years to enjoy grandchildren and travel.

Their children were a long time joy and provided vacations and holidays with a rich closeness. Their oldest son is Bob Baucum of Quanah, husband of Marida and father to Bailey, Libby and her spouse Matt Kolar, Jim and his spouse Magdalena, and Austin. Wynona’s great-grandchildren are Hensley and Kate Baucum of Wichita Falls, Max and Cecilia Kolar and another daughter due in February of San Antonio, Texas. Their middle son, Gary Baucum and his spouse Deb live in Long Beach, California. Gary’s three children are Katy and her husband John Yates of Reunion, Colorado, Danny Baucum of Long Beach, California and Mark and his wife Jaclyn of San Pedro, California. Wynona’s great-grandchildren are Makenna, Brooklyn and Josiah Yates of Colorado, Isabela and Luke Baucum of San Pedro and Michael and Cailean Vitullo of Long Beach, California. Their youngest is a daughter, Janet. She and her husband, Jim Sims of Boerne have cared for Wynona the last few months.

Don and Wynona enjoyed retirement in Kerrville, Texas for several years and then moved to Taos, New Mexico. While in Taos for 8 years, they made many close friends of neighbors and from their church, St. James Episcopal. They returned to Texas last March and have sorely missed their home in Taos. “Nana” was revered for her extraordinary pie crusts, flower gardens and exhortations towards a lively faith.

Family visitation will be at the El Salto home of their son Bob Baucum, Friday evening November 11th, from 7:30 until 9:00. Her service “A Celebration of Life” will be held in Taos, Saturday November 12th, 10:00 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church. Memorials are requested to be sent to: St. James Episcopal Church, Food Pantry 5794 NDCDU Taos, New Mexico 87571. To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com and select the Obituaries tab.
Arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne, TX.