Margaret D Baylor

Margaret Dorothy Baylor (Mom as we call her), born Margaret Dorothy Smith on February 25, 1930 departed this life on Friday November 8, 2019 after a lengthy illness. She was fortunate enough to do home hospice until the end. Margaret was the widow of the late Benjamin Franklin Baylor II who preceded her earlier this year. They shared 75 years of marriage in November of 2018. Out of this union they had six children. Born in Whitestone Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Elton Smith Senior and Leonia Diggs. Margaret attended A.T. Wright high school in Virginia where she graduated. She was employed at Maryland General Hospital where she retired after 30 years as a Dietary Aide.

Margaret attended New Pilgrim Baptist Church where she reared her children at that time. She enjoyed music and loved dancing (the mule kick) while listening to her favorite artist soul brother number 1 (James Brown) singing “Say it Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud” as well as the Staple Singers (I’ll Take You There). Margaret Enjoyed family gatherings and always had a welcoming smile for those who came by to visit. Cooking was one of her favorite things to do every Sunday. You could stop by the Baylor house at any time on a Sunday morning and enjoy a full spread breakfast. Even if you showed up with her children at 2:00pm, she would still ask you “how would you like your eggs cooked”. Margaret would always put together an impromptu cookout and invite the entire neighborhood. She always assumed a small army would be coming by for cook outs or dinner and she cooked accordingly. Back in her earlier days Margaret enjoyed getting together with her friends who considered themselves part of an elite Pokeno Group where the highlight was to play the “Black Out” round and winner take all which could be a big take away of at least $10.00 in pennies.

Margaret would clean and enjoy the aroma of pigs feet and chitterlings cooking (can you imagine) with a side dish of potato salad. Today the thought would probably make her stomach turn. In her later years, because she didn’t get around much, she enjoyed reading the newspaper from cover to cover and sharing all of the current events. She would even tell us if one of dad’s properties showed up in the tax sale section so we could be sure it was paid. Margaret liked to color as well as get her nails done to show off her color. Her favorite sayings were, “It’s a terrible blow”, and if you inquired about how she was feeling her response was always “I’m still ache breaky” or “I’m kickin but not too high”. Margaret was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters (Clarence Smith, Walter Morris, Harold Morris Jr. and Lucy Morris) respectively. She leaves to cherish her memories 6 children; Gwendolyn Brown (Charles), Benjamin Jr. (Brenda), Reginald Sr., Daryl, Deborah, and Anthony along with another loving son, Jerald Lewis and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; sisters (Helen Morris, and Erma Barrett), and two brothers Elton Smith Jr. (Laura) and Vernell Morris (Connie); a sister-in-law (Catherine Smith); adopted daughter, Sharon Maddox and god daughter, Bernice Presbury.

We would like to extend a special acknowledgment to our extended family member Carlissa Galloway who stepped in to love and care for our mother while at “In Home” Hospice. We are forever grateful.

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