Margaret McDevitt Baker
June 10, 1910 ~ January 2, 2008
Resided in:
Brevard, NC
MARGARET HAYNIE McDEVITT BAKER
Margaret Haynie McDevitt Baker, 97, formerly of Asheville, died Wednesday, January 2, 2008, at her home in Brevard.
Mrs. Baker was born in Madison Co. and was the daughter of the late Dan Taylor Haynie and Lela Phipps Haynie. She was also preceded in death by her husbands, N.B. McDevitt Jr. and Frank E. Baker, and by two sisters.
She was a 1926 graduate of Walnut High School and a 1930 graduate of Maryville College. In 1958, she also received a Masters Degree in Education from UNC-CH.
Mrs. Baker taught in the Madison County and Asheville City School systems and was a mathematics teacher at Lee H. Edwards High School from 1950 to 1962. She later served as Supervisor of High School Mathematics for the State of North Carolina and was a mathematics instructor at Western Carolina University.
Mrs. Baker was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma sorority, a former member of the West Asheville Presbyterian Church and a current member of the Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are two sons, Dr. Noel B. McDevitt and his wife, Patricia, of Southern Pines, and Larry McDevitt and his wife, Dershie, of Asheville; six grandchildren: Noel B. McDevitt, Jr., and his wife, Jamie, Dr. Michelle A. McDevitt, Jonathan A. McDevitt, and his wife Emily, Brandon McDevitt Hinton, and her husband, Laurence G. Hinton, Trenton B. McDevitt, and Kendal B. McDevitt, and her husband, Patrick Beville; five great grandchildren; one sister, Ruth H. Feaster of Brevard, and 11 nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Monday, January 7, at 11:00 a.m. at the Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Doctor Keith Thompson officiating, followed by a private family interment at Green Hills Cemetery in Asheville.
The family will receive friends on Sunday evening, January 6, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian, 72 Long Shoals Rd., Arden.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Baker's memory may be made to the Literacy Through Art Program c/o The Asheville Art Museum, P.O. Box 1717, Asheville, NC, 28802. This program is a multi-county literacy effort in which the Van Winkle Law Firm will match all contributions.
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Sorry to hear about your mother. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mrs. McDevitt was my geometry teacher at Lee Edwards High over 50 years ago. She was one of the best teachers I ever had. The thing I remember most about her was how well she could explain things. If you didn’t get it one way, she had another and another that she would use so that we would finally get it. She had a wonderful influence on so many students, making a great contribution to thousands who came
under her tutelage. She was always kind and never condescending. I respected her immensely and glad that you had her with you so long.
Susie Ray
Noel, I remember your Mom as the perfect welcome to those of us who were just a little afraid of the big step from junior high to LEHS. I don’t remember if she taught me math, but homeroom was the best part of the day since we could always count on that soft, kind voice and her endearing smile that has remained in my memory for these many years. How lucky you are to have had her with you for so long!
I was late opening my email and so sad to hear of this great loss to you and your family. I called Poor’s Florist this morning and was delighted to speak with Dottie Poor, Class of 1956, but it was too late to send flowers as I would have liked.
I’ve intended for years to go back to Marshall/Walnut, NC to research my family tree, but I enjoyed learning that your Mom was a Haynie from Madison Country. My maternal grandparents were also from Madison Country and we have Haynie relatives. I’ve done nothing in my life to match hers, but I would love to know I was related to your Mom–such a dear and special person whose talents, kindness and sincerity enriched the lives of so many!
Best wishes to you and your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Nancy Burrell Powers
Noel, Larry and families, what a legacy your Mom left for you and your children! She was an attractive, independent and interesting woman who positively impacted many lives — most of all, her students. May you be comforted by the many wonderful memories of such a vibrant and intelligent parent.
Sincerely, Marita Cannon Gates
We were neighbors of Margaret and enjoyed knowing her. Bob & Betty
N.B. and Larry,
I’m sorry for your loss. She was a very special lady.
Some of the earliest memories at WAPC included your mom and my mom talking on the phone re: Women of the Church, etc. even before your dad died.
Your mom had a great influence on me in my early church life and in my high school years. She was a positive role model for me in my teaching career. She visited my classroom in Sanford, NC while she was the Math Supervisor. She always went our of her way and took time for me whenever we met.
She was a treasure and she will be missed by me and all of my peers.
My thought are with you and your families.
She was a respected teacher who modeled what I wanted to be when I grew up’?and did! I admired her character and the example she set for her students. She raised the bar for all of us. How lucky we were to have her in our lives! Mary(Class of ’58)
N.B. and Larry–
It’s always a blow to lose a loved one no matter how wonderful their life has been.
We were out of town and found out on Sunday.
Wish we could have been there.
She was a great lady.
Love to you both,
Jane and Eddie
I was so saddened to read of this wonderful teacher and mentor’s passing. I was one of her ‘reluctamt’ students who just didn’t understand Math. She encouraged, pressed, inspired and finally convinced me, I could do that assignment. With her help and inspiration, I made it! My sympathy to the family. Just revel in the memories.
Sorry to hear of your lost. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Dear N.B., Larry & Dan:
I was saddened to read of Margaret’s death & know how at a loss you must all be. The last time I saw her was at Aunt Christine’s Memorial Service, when we ate lunch together. Margaret & her sisters were all special people & I know you will miss her terribly.
My prayers & love are with you.
A very good teacher. Glad I had her for math.
Ms McDivett was always more than our teacher. She was a good friend teaching high standard’s in life that carried with me all of my adult life. Bob Parker
N.B., Larry, and Family, When I returned from WW II and Zunita was DCE and Minister of Music at WA Presbyterian Church we met your Mom and Dad. Your Dad was one of my favorite people and we enjoyed knowing your Mother, her sisters , and your Grandparents Dan and Lela Haynie. Your Mother was a special lady and regardless of age, health, or any other circumstance we are never ready to give up our loved ones, especially a Mother. The only comfort has to be our Faith in the Sovereignty of God and the manifested concern of caring parents. We are thinking of you at this time and will hold you in our prayers. We hope in some small way it does help to know others do care. Zunita and Joe
Larry, Your Mom was special to me in school & at home. May God be glorified through the peace & and comfort he gives during these times to you, Noel and your family. Dale & Judy Robinson
Noel, My sister Anna notified me of the loss of your mother. What wonderful memories all of us who went to Lee Edwards have of Mrs. McDevitt. She set the standard for teaching, by all means. My husband BF joins me in expressing my sympathy to you and your family.
I remember Mrs. McDevit with fondness and respect. I didn’t have the priviledge of being under her teachings at Lee Edwards, but have fond memories of being at West Asheville Presbyterian with her and in youth with N B and Larry. She was a great influence on my life by her gentle presence and sweet demeaner.
LARRY, MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES…
WHAT A SHINNING LIGHT YOUR MOTHER WAS TO US….GOOFY KIDS IN THE 8 AND 9 GRADES….AS YOU SO PROUDLY SPOKE OF HER IN ASSEMBLY 1960 AS YOUR MOTHER AND ALSO YOUR DAD…WAS SO VERY TRUE…I KNOW MANY TEARS WERE SHED THAT DAY…HOWEVER, HER LIGHT IS EVEN BRIGHTER AS THE LORD TAKES HER TO SHINE EVER MORE IN HEAVEN..GOD BLESS YOU AND WANT YOU TO KNOW YOU ARE A REFECTION OF HER…
AS EVER, SEFUS
Noel & Larry,
Nan and I want to extend our deepest sympathy to you and your families for the loss of a great lady, teacher, Mother and great inspiration to hundreds of her students. She will be missed.
Love,
Nan & Charlie
Larry,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember meeting her at one of the youth league basketball games. I know how very hard it is, so please know I will remember you and your family in prayer.
Noel, one of my first and fondest memories of LEH was your Mother’s smiling face. What a blessing that was to those of us who had never been to public school before!! She was unique and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. My condolences to you, Larry and your families.
Dear Noel, I am blessed that I was able to see your mother at the reunion. How well I remember her math classes at Lee Edwards High. She was the only teacher with whom I enjoyed math. You were certainly fortunate to have her in your life for so long. I know you’ll miss her. Blessings from Linda Dudley
Noel,
Your mom was an inspiration to so many of us and it was a joy to be with her at our 45th and 50th reunions. She was a wonderful teacher and I enjoyed being in her class. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Blessings,
Dave and Lynne Roberts
A wonderful teacher, best wishes to the family.
Bruce
our prayers go out to the family. We know she will be missed
our prayers go out to the family. We know she will be missed
Mother (Dee Smith) and I send our love to Larry, Noel and families.
Larry and family, Our hearts and prayers go out to you at this time of sadness. We remember your mother fondly.
Noel. Larry, Ruth and family:
Margaret was a great lady and will be missed by so many people. Our thoughts are with you.
My sister, Dorothy Reeves Cody, and I send our sympathies. We are cousins who still live in Walnut and always looked forward to Margaret, Marie and Christine coming to the Walnut Methodist Homecoming each year. Our Dad was her Uncle Stack Reeves. Our love to each of you.
Dear Noel and Larry, Your mother amused, challenged and inspired me as homeroom/math teacher. I never saw such spirit! Reconnecting with Mrs. McDevitt (just couldn’t say ‘Baker’)these past few years renewed my affection and respect. You were fortunate to have her, in good health, this many years … I’m sure her lessons and love will remain with you forever.
Please accept my sincere condolances. Mrs. McDevitt taught me to never give up. She was the driving force behind my applying for the Navy ROTC scholarship. I did and eventually retired as a Commander — all due to the push from a wonderful TEACHER!
Noel and Larry,
We send our deepest sympathy. Your Mother touched and influenced so many in such a positive way. May you be comforted knowing she was loved and will always be remembered as a sweet, caring, and lovely lady.
Thinking of you and your family with deepest sympathy. May our Lord Jesus bless you with His love and peace.
Noel,
Such a lovely lady, wonderful teacher and friend; this is how I remember your Mom. I truly thank God for the quality of her life and her impact on ours. She took pleasure in teaching, sharing our successes and truly enjoying giving of herself to others.
May your family find comfort in your many special memories and may the thoughts and prayers of all those who care so help to sustain you and your family at this most difficult of times.
My dear friend, I send love and my deepest sympathy. You know I am here for you.
N.B. and Larry,
Your family was the first we met when we moved to Asheville in 1949.
Your mother, grandparents, and aunts were always special to us. We share many wonderful memories of growing up in Asheville.
Your mother was a wonderful teacher and friend and an inspiration to many. I know you will miss her greatly. My sincerest sympathy and love to you and your families.