Mary Magdalene Baggett's Obituary
Mary Magdalene Baggett was born on August 24, 1923 in Delhi, Louisiana, to John Jefferson (Jeff) Sharplin and Bettie Elizabeth (Lizzie) Carr Sharplin. She passed away peacefully on December 7, 2015 in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 92 with her beloved and devoted daughter, Naomi, and son-in-law Phillip Purdue, at her side. She was predeceased by her parents and her husband, Javin Paul Baggett. Mary married Jay, a career military man, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 1945. They were soon stationed in Orlando, Florida, then Ft. Bragg, N.C., and Great Falls, Montana. When her husband got orders to relocate to Japan, Mary lived in Jackson, Mississippi, until 1968. Later in New Orleans she for many years worked at the Protestant Home for Babies, a group home that originally in 1929 provided care and shelter for adoptable and homeless infants. By 1974, this 1800-era historic mansion in the Garden District, with Mary as their on-site housemother, provided support and a nurturing environment for adolescent pregnant young women with few options. She lived in New Orleans for more than 34 years. Mary loved flowers and gardening and was a talented cook, baker and seamstress. Caring for others was her special gift. Working as a dietician, nurse’s aide and caregiver for the ill, elderly and disadvantaged for more than three decades gave her great pleasure and satisfaction. She always put the welfare of others ahead of her own. She was a thoughtful, beautiful and generous Southern lady who possessed a wonderful sense of humor. Her deep Christian faith gave her strength to endure life’s many hardships and challenges. Special thanks to the staff at Meadows Health & Rehabilitation Center in Dallas including nurses, aides and housekeepers who were so kind and took such good care of her. There will be a private memorial service and inurnment at a later date in New Orleans at Greenwood Garden Mausoleum located at 5200 Canal Boulevard.
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