Elwilda Baldwin Gants

Elwilda Gants

Elwilda Baldwin Gants, was born January 18th, 1930 to Jack and Atlawyer Baldwin. She married her late husband, Elodgie Vick Gants August 21st, 1950. He preceded her in death on April 16th, 1977. Of that union, three daughters were born.

As the youngest of eight children, she was preceded in death by her brothers Fred Antoine, Clarence and Melvin Baldwin, sisters Lee Anna Smith, Theresa Tiggs, Sara Lee Mosley and Dorothy Mae Bellard. Elwilda departed this life on Friday April, 16th at home, on Hospice Care.

Elwilda professed her love for Jesus Christ and was baptized at Trinity Valley Baptist Church. She attended Liberty Training High School in the Liberty Independent School District. Elwilda was a great housewife. She had many homemaking crafts and skills, making pear and fig preserves, jellies, jams, peanut brittle and pecan pralines, to name a few. Elwilda was also a great seamstress. She could make garments by looking at pictures and did not require the use of a pattern to cut the fabrics. She was lovingly known as “Mother” to her daughters and this is the name that all of her grandchildren, greats and great-great grandchildren have come to know. “Aunt Nanny”, as she was affectionately called by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, used her homemaking skills to extend her generosity in providing snacks and refreshments for the local municipal pool and school park area on "the hill". This continued past summer time, through many warm summer days. She made our house the home where many of the neighborhood children would come to play, daily.

Elwilda is survived by three daughters, Mary Evelyn Brooks (Thad Cartwright) Houston, TX, Rita Faye Edwards, Houston, TX and Jeanette Louise Davis (Leo) Houston, TX. Ten grandchildren: Marladette Turner (James) Houston, TX, Tiffany Jackson (Lyric) Pflugerville, TX, Destinie Washington (Bruce) Rosharon, TX, Lonnie Edwards Jr., Houston, TX, Emmanuel Edwards Sr. (Michelle) Pearland, TX, Malia Davis, Houston, TX, Avery Davis, Waco, TX, Thad Cartwright III (Adja) Houston, TX, Tonez Cartwright (Mechiko) Houston, TX, Theddeus Cartwright, Houston, TX. Twenty-seven great grandchildren. Six great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and relatives.