Cathye Baldwin passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, two days shy of her 76th birthday. She died peacefully, surrounded by those who loved her. She was born in Decatur, Georgia on November 17, 1947, the daughter of Winfred Cannon and Hazel Alred Cannon. In her youth, Cathye was fiery and energetic. She was a loyal friend, standing her ground from an early age and fiercely protective of her siblings.

Cathye dated Wayne Carmichael while at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. She liked to reminisce that he was a great dancer and people would cheer them on as they danced. They got married in 1967 and had three sons. Wayne’s career assignments took them through six states before they settled down in Tyler, Texas in 1980, where they remained until the boys graduated from high school. She was an involved and supportive mom, often spending weekends driving all over Texas for her sons’ swim meets. In 1993, Cathye graduated as class valedictorian with a Bachelor of Social Work from Stephen F. Austin University. She went on to work for Hospice of Deep East Texas and spent over a decade providing physical and emotional support to patients with terminal conditions and their families.

Cathye later married Joe Baldwin, and they moved to Huxley, Texas, on Toledo Bend Lake. She quickly forged close friendships in the neighborhood. Her grandchildren, whom she thought walked on water, loved to visit. They spent days fishing off the dock, chasing lizards, and eating her delicious Southern home cooking. In 2005, she was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, resulting in paralysis from the waist down. She was warned by the doctor that she might never walk again. In her typical determined way, she refused to accept this reality and fought to regain enough mobility to remain fully independent throughout her life. This included questionable decisions like climbing up a ladder alone to sweep her roof and realizing afterward she couldn’t get down. She disliked a fuss being made over her, though she could be convinced to lean on her family when needed. She was also supported by an incredibly dear group of local friends.

Cathye was creative and skilled with her hands, creating stained glass, crocheting blankets, and making Christmas ornaments. She loved fishing, working in the yard, and doing puzzles. She was a ferocious Scrabble player. She cared deeply for animals, feeding and tending to the local birds, feral cats, deer, and other wildlife. She especially loved her dogs Maggie, Penny, and most recently, Sugar.

Cathye will be sorely missed by her son Bob Carmichael, his wife Nikkola, and their children, Nathan, Elena, and Talia; her son Russ Carmichael and his wife Melanie; her son Philip Carmichael, his wife Jenn, and their children Joshua and Matthew; her ex-husband, Wayne Carmichael and his wife, Suzanne; her brother, George Cannon; all of her extended family and friends; and her beloved dog, Sugar.

She is predeceased by her husband Joe Baldwin, her sister Gwyn Jones, and her brother Paul Cannon.

Condolences and tributes can be sent online at www.watsonandsonsfh.com. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in memory of Cathye to a local animal shelter or Hospice care provider.

Mom, we will love and cherish you always.