Tennie "Orlene" Baldwin

Tennie Orlene Baldwin of Durant passed away Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the age of 92. She was born on September 1, 1926 in Caddo to Edgar Bruce Lewis and Mallie (Green) Lewis. Orlene has been a longtime resident of Bryan County. She married the love of her life, James Burl Baldwin on May 22, 1949 at the 1st Church of the Nazarene in Durant. The couple spent over 60 years together before his passing on Jan 6, 2010. Orlene attended several schools that include; a two- room schoolhouse on Loneoak Road east of Durant, Pirtle Elementary, Blue High School, and she then graduated from Durant High School. After graduation, she furthered her education at Bethany Nazarene College, North Lake Junior College, Arlington State College (now the University of Texas Arlington), North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) where she graduated with a Master’s in Education, and the University of California Extension. Orlene used her degree to become an elementary school teacher, a position she held for many years. Some of the schools she taught at include; Travis Elementary, Milam Elementary, Florence Hill Elementary, Jackson Junior High School (now Jackson Middle School), and Johnson (LBJ) Elementary. She was employed with the Grand Prairie school system for 22 years. She also served as a substitute teacher after her retirement for a short period of time. She was a junior accountant with LTV Corporation and a bookkeeper for the Durant Daily Democrat newspaper and a radio station before beginning her career as a teacher. While living in Texas, she was a member of the Grand Prairie First Church of the Nazarene (now the Grand Prairie Family Church) where she taught children’s Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was also involved in education in the following areas: the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee, the Principal’s Advisory Committee, a team leader and a Principal’s Designate in the Grand Prairie Independent School District. She was on committees that have compiled the reading curriculum guide for the Grand Prairie Independent School District, the math curriculum for Region X, and was on the Southern Association Accreditation Committee to Sherman, Texas. She was involved with the March of Dimes, Boy Scouts, YMCA and the Parent Teacher Association. After moving to Oklahoma, she became a member of the 1st Church of the Nazarene in Durant where she also taught children’s Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. When she wasn’t working or at church, Orlene dedicated her time to taking care of her mother who lived to be 100 years old. Preceding her in death are her parents; husband, James Burl Baldwin and brothers, Voyn Lewis, LT Lewis, and Kennith Lewis. Survivors include her son, Steve Baldwin and wife Deanna of Tyler, TX; step-daughter, Melissa Wilson; step-granddaughter Ella Kate Wilson; brother, Leon Lewis of Phoenix, AZ and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. Services to honor Orlene’s life will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the Monterey Chapel in Durant with Pastor Brent Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery. The family will accept friends Friday evening from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Compassionate Ministries at the Church of the Nazarene, Camp Bond Oklahoma District Campground Church of the Nazarene, or the Gideon’s in memory of Orlene Baldwin. Online condolences may be made to the family at brownsfuneralservice.com Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Durant Funeral and Cremation Service.

Tennie "Orlene" Baldwin

September 1, 1926 - April 27, 2019