Mrs. Juanita Mae Baier, 74, wife of John Baier and a resident of Chincoteague and North Port, Fla., passed away on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, surrounded by family at her home in Florida.
Mrs. Baier was born on Oct. 20, 1943, on Chincoteague Island to the late Herman “Pete” and Marguerite Williams. She was a member of the Chincoteague Christ United Methodist Church. She grew up on Chincoteague Island and graduated from high school there in 1962. Prior to graduation, she was crowned “Miss Chincoteague” in 1960. After high school, she moved to Northern Virginia and worked for the United States government in various capacities. During the early 1980s, Mrs. Baier met and married John, her husband of 37 years. After leaving as chief budget officer of the Defense Communications Agency, she returned home and worked for Assateague Island Tours. She later enjoyed working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She was no stranger to hard work as she planted clams on her own grounds behind her home. She also volunteered with the literacy group teaching people to read. In her spare time, she loved gardening while listening to the oldies on the AM radio station. One of her most precious things was her family and every year she looked forward to the annual family reunion at her Chincoteague home where family members would gather.
Other than her husband, Mrs. Baier is survived by two stepdaughters, Debra Shellhammer and husband, Kurt, of Fredericksburg, Va., and Patricia Young and husband, Kevin, of Fredericksburg; five stepgrandchildren, Lindsey Pennington and husband, John, of Charlotte, N.C., Nathan Shellhammer, of Fort Drum, N.Y.; Patrick Young of Fredericksburg, Joseph Young and wife, Abby, of Fredericksburg, and Matthew Young, of Fredericksburg; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Bruce and Madelynn Pennington, of Charlotte, N.C.; one brother, Larry Williams and wife, Robyn, of Chincoteague; a special nephew, Daniel Williams and wife, Gina, of Chincoteague; and several additional nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Frances Kay Williams (age 2) and Sandra Fondren.
A memorial service will be conducted Friday, July 20, at 5 p.m. from the Christ United Methodist Church in Chincoteague with Pastor Joe Carson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society.
