Mary Louise Baumgardner (nee Edmisten)
Mary Louise Baumgardner (nee Edmisten) went home to be with our Lord on Thursday, August 29, 2024 in the comfort of the home she shared with her son, John, in Euclid, Ohio.
Mary was born on May 28, 1934 in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, North Carolina. She graduated in 1952 from Appalachian High School where she was an accomplished and star basketball player.
In 1955, she married Johnny Baumgardner and together they set off for Cleveland, Ohio in search of prosperity and opportunity. It was in the Cleveland metropolitan area where the family resided for the remainder of Mary's lifetime.
Some of her favorite things were admiring the deer and the "Blue Birds" outside of her home, some songs like “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers and “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
Mary was an active member at both the Willoughby United Methodist Church in Willoughby and at Franklin Circle Christian Church in Cleveland, where she was beloved by many friends at both churches.
In 2017, Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. It was soon afterwards that her son John took over custodial care of her as the disease eventually progressed which exacted a terrible toll upon her.
Mary's final years were filled with as much happiness as possible and she was loved beyond measure.
Mary is survived by her daughter Sharon Rolland of Willoughby, Ohio, her son John of Euclid, Ohio, her son Jerry, of Willoughby, Ohio. Her sisters Anne Barba of Roanoke, VA and Betty Shoemake, Joyce Proffitt and Rebecca Younce of Boone, NC.
In November of 1986, Mary was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband Johnny Baumgardner. She was also preceded in death by her two daughters, Debra Horne in 2020 and Sandra L. Knight in 2022. And her brothers Bobby Edmisten, AV Edmisten and Tommy Edmisten, all of Boone, NC.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 7 , 2024 between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. at the Willoughby United Methodist Church, 15 E. Spaulding Street in Willoughby, Ohio. Funeral services will immediately follow at 4:00 pm. The family would like to thank everyone for joining them in sharing the beautiful memories of Mary.