Marie Averitt Baucom

Marie Averitt Baucom, 95, lovingly known by many as “Nana B”, traded her reign as matriarch of the local Baucom clan for a heavenly crown on September 18, 2024. Marie ended her time on earth much as she lived her life…on her own terms…privately at home surrounded by family. Although she would be the first to show up to support and minister to any friend or family member who was sick or in need, she never wanted to burden others in any way.

Marie and her older brother Ransom grew up in nearby Clayton under the watchful eye of her widowed mother, Aline Averitt. “Skinny,” as she was called, enjoyed playing sports. She often spoke laughingly of playing guard in women’s basketball when the rules restricted players to only one half of the court based on their position. Marie was also an excellent student. She was instrumental in starting the National Beta Club at Clayton High School and graduated as valedictorian of her class before earning a scholarship to attend Women’s College in Greensboro, now known as UNC-G.

Marie loved people and always wanted to know who they were and what was important to them. She used this love in her first jobs as a social worker and high school teacher. From this love and interest in everyone, Marie developed her “superpower.” She had the ability to get even shy folks to share their hopes and wishes which she would remember indefinitely. Whenever she would see those people again, sometimes years later...she always remembered to ask detailed questions about specific family members or career goals as if they had just talked about it minutes before. People around Marie truly felt “seen.” That accounts for her many life-long friends in all age groups.

Perhaps that is one reason that a handsome country boy named John Robin Baucom Jr. decided it would be smart to pursue lovely, smart Marie and convince her to marry him. Marie would tell you that she would have been fine with a shorter courtship than the 6 years it took John to propose, but they were made for each other. It must have been love, because city girl Marie agreed to not only marry a tobacco-dairy farmer, but she also agreed to move to what she called the boondocks of Wake County and live on a dirt road, of all things.

Together, Marie and John built a comfortable country life while raising three children: Deb, Rebecca, and Robin. But times change and farming became difficult to maintain. So, after much research and prayer, they took a leap of faith with courage and determination and changed their 300+ acre farm into a public golf course named Eagle Crest. Eagle Crest was more than a recreational location; it became a surrogate home to many people, some started as golf customers, some as employees …but most soon learned that the Baucoms welcomed and loved-on everyone and many cried when the course closed in 2003.

Even when money was tight as a farmer’s wife, Marie was always impeccably dressed. She could “remake” an outfit into something extraordinary with flair. It was impossible to know Marie and not expect her to appear at any event in a fully coordinated ensemble with matching accessories. We will all miss seeing her fashion style. From her mother, Marie also learned to be an excellent cook, homemaker, and hostess extraordinaire. Many benefited from generous meals at Marie’s table; it was impossible to leave her home without some tasty morsel and a full stomach.

When asked her secret to living such a long and fulfilled life, she said it is important to have a loving heart. She definitely practiced what she preached. She loved her God and loved worshipping Him at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. She said that she married into Mt. Moriah, but it quickly became her spiritual family, and she served God and the church well over the years in many capacities. She always gave freely of her time, talents, and resources.

As a tribune to a life very well lived, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Marie to the “Mission Advance Fund” at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 300 E. Garner Rd., Raleigh, NC 27610.