Bessie Baynes

Mrs. Bessie Ruth Massey Baynes, daughter of the late Dillard William Massey and Emma Jane McWhirter Massey, was born May 25, 1931 in Waxhaw, North Carolina, Union County. She was surrounded by family and friends when she peacefully transitioned to her eternal home on December 31, 2017. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wallace Eli Baynes, her two sisters – Eva Jane Massey and Fredonia Massey Simpson, and one brother, Wadlow (Buddy) Massey.

Bessie graduated from Winchester Avenue High School in 1949. She graduated from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC in 1954. She taught elementary school at Diggs Elementary School in Winston Salem, NC. She also taught at Windsor Park Elementary School and Merry Oaks Elementary School, both in Charlotte, NC.

On April 4, 1958, she married the love of her life, Wallace Eli Baynes. From that union, two daughters were born: Kirsten Baynes Galloway and Danise Baynes Hicklen.

Bessie was a long time member of Memorial Presbyterian Church. Around 2004, she moved to Durham, NC, where she joined Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Bessie loved to sew and bake. She was fondly known for baking Italian Cream Cakes and Carrot Cakes, recipes she received from her sister, Fredonia. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and traveled many miles on I-85 going to Atlanta and Durham.

Left to cherish her memories are her daughters, Kirsten Baynes Galloway (Charles) of Ft. Washington, MD and Danise Baynes Hicklen of Durham, NC; one brother, Dillard T. Massey (Lorene) of Concord, NC; 3 grandchildren, Miles Canaan Hicklen, Tiffany Nicole Galloway and Marisa Camille Hicklen; and many loving nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.