Harriette Torbert Baynes

Harriette Torbert-Baynes, 79 of Dublin, Georgia entered eternal glory on October 17, 2024. Funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Dublin Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 11am following a visitation time beginning at 10 am.

Mrs. Baynes, daughter of the late Thomas Alden “Dock” and Mary Alice Torbert of Greensboro, Ga. was also preceded in death by her brother, Douglas Alden Torbert, and son, William Jackson Baynes, III. Harriette was born on November 24, 1944, in Sandersville, Ga, and was raised in Greensboro, Ga. Harriette is survived by her husband W. J. “Jack” Baynes, Jr., her sister Gayle Tidwell (David), her two children Dr. Mark Baynes (Dawn) and Katy Smith (Dr. Kenny Smith), grandchildren Mary, Paxton, Kelsy, Brayden, and Gideon Smith; and great-grandchildren, Ava, Ayden, and Connor Smith.

Harriette met her partner in life, Jack, in high school where they began a steady relationship. She was a cheerleader, homecoming queen, and graduate of Greensboro High School in 1962. She received a bachelor’s degree at Women’s College of Georgia, Milledgeville in 1966. Harriette and Jack were joined in marriage on July 9, 1965.

Harriette’s many activities included Kiwanis Club, WMU Treasurer, VA Volunteer, Sunday School Secretary. Her vocational life included being a Nursery Worker and schoolteacher. She was a Golden Trojan during her children’s scholastic tenure at Tattnall Square Academy, Macon. Her most treasured role, however, was homemaker and wife. Harriette was a devoted and supportive wife, mother, and grandmother (Nana). She loved to travel and visited many destinations around the world with her husband Jack, friends, and family. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren while on a Norwegian Cruise ship on the North Sea. Harriette brought smiles and laughter wherever the day took her.

Harriette’s Christian devotion and example was exemplary and well known. Among the many Christian missions and endeavors of her life, besides family, her favorite was surrogate mother to many in Chipata Zambia through the Ark of Grace Director’s House (Harriette T. Baynes Staff House) as well as The Harriette Baynes Mansion, home to Pastor Kennedy Banda (Millie) and their three sons in Lusaka, Zambia. Of note, without her universal and adamant support, many of her husband, Jack’s, service and missions would not have been possible.

Pallbearers are Alan Barfoot, Kelly Canady, James Stinson, Dr. David Tate, Dr. Monty Shuman, and Dr. Barry Parker. Honorary Pallbearers are Kenneth Allen, Dr. Jack Brown, Ben Cochran, Buck Gale, Wayne Gay, David Holland, Rev. Charles Lowery, Wallace Miller, Phillip Morris, John Polhill, David Senn, Bob Thigpen, Allen Thomas, Claude Vines, Don Vinson, Bob Walker, Dr. Nikolay Bangiyev, Alan Yauck, Chuck Bass, and Dr. Martin Christian.

The family would like to extend a special heartfelt thanks to Home Instead and their many caregivers, and the nursing and professional staff at Fairview Park Hospital of Dublin, Georgia for their excellent care.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made through the First Baptist Church of Dublin to the Zambia Scholarship Fund.

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