Descendants of John R. Balch - Howard Stone Baulch Family

espected by his friends and family for his physical, mental, and spiritual strength. He was the epitome of
reliability: if he promised he would do something, he did it as committed and did it well. While quite
introverted, he was a friend to anyone who needed him, often selflessly sacrificing himself in support of
others. Friends and family knew they could count on him.
He and his wife, Madie, lived a beautiful fifty-two years together. They were always committed to each
other, to their family, to their church, and to their friends. They were both victims of a tragic car accident
(being hit broadside by a one-ton truck that ran through an inoperative red light) in May 1992 and were
hospitalized for over a month. With two brain hemorrhages and numerous broken bones, recovery was
slow and physical therapy was difficult. Six months later, a massive stroke put Jim in a deep, irreversible
coma. With no hope of a functional life, his family followed his often repeated request if such an occasion
arose. He was taken home and removed from life support systems. He died on November 24, 1992, two
days before Thanksgiving. It was as he would have liked it: he was at home in his own bed, kept warm
by the quilt made by his mother that had been a wedding gift to Madie and him, and surrounded by his
family. Madie, all three children, and all their spouses were there, singing hymns from the United
Methodist Hymnal. It was during his son Howard's singing of "How Great Thou Art" that he breathed his
last breath here on earth. His son-in-law, Floyd Duvall, fittingly read the Twenty-Third Psalm as he joined
the angels in heaven.
Originally, Jim was placed in a mausoleum in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Slidell, Louisiana. After Madie
moved to Franklin, Tennessee in September 1997, he was moved to his final burial place in Woodlawn
Memorial Park in Nashville, Tennessee, near his parents and his brother, Nelson Howard Baulch.
More About JAMES HOMER BAULCH:
Bachelor Degree: 1938, Bowling Green College of Commerce
Burial 1: 1997, Woodlawn Memorial Park, Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee, USA
Burial 2: 27 Nov 1992, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Slidell, LA
HS Education: Raised and schooled in Gallatin, TN
Religion: Methodist
Social Security Number: 239-26-6006
SSN issued: North Carolina
Notes for MADIE GIBSON:
Madie was given the name Mae Belle at birth, but her sister, Mittie Ruth, could never pronounce it right
and called her Madie (with a long A). Eventually she legally changed her name to Madie and dropped any
reference to Mae Belle. She was raised in Bond, Mississippi and attended Harrison-Stone-Jackson
Agricultural High School and Junior College (later known as Perkinston Junior College).
The following is her wedding announcement contained in a local newspaper:
"Mr. Abner Gibson announces the marriage of his daughter Miss Madie Gibson to Mr. James H. Baulch,
son of Mr. G. N. Baulch of Gallatin, Tenn. The groom is a graduate of Bowling Green Commercial Law
School of Bowling Green, Kentucky and has been bookkeeping instructor and business manager at
Perkinston Junior Colege (sic) for two years when he resigned to take a position in Tennessee. The bride
is a graduate of Perkinston High School. The young couple left as soon as his work was completed at the
Junior College. They will be at his home in Gallatin, Tenn."
Madie was an accomplished seamstress, making clothes for her children and thirteen grandchildren. She
was an active member of the United Methodist Church, having held numerous positions on church boards
and committees. One of her greatest gifts is her contributions to the Altar Guild and, more directly, the
talent she has with the flower arrangements for the church services. When Jim entered semi-retirement,
they enjoyed travels to West Germany, Austria, England, Canada, and Brazil. Life was difficult for Madie
after Jim died in November 1992. In September 1997 she moved from Slidell, Louisiana to Morningside
Assisted Living at 105 Sunrise Circle in Franklin, Tennessee. As her health deteriorated, she spent time in
NHC Place of Franklin and then moved to Southern Care at 3595 Carothers Parkway in Franklin in 2007.
In 2008 she moved to Claiborne Hughes Health Center located at 200 Strahl Street in Franklin. It was
there that she had a major stroke on Friday, July 3, 2009. The children were summoned, and one or
more of them was usually at her bedside until her death on Thursday, July 9. On the day of her death she
was sung to and comforted by her daughters Sarah and Barbara, her son Howard, her son-in-law Floyd,
and her daughter-in-law Sally. Her son-in-law Jim came as soon as possible as her breathing became
labored, but he was unable to arrive before her death.
From The Tennessean, July 15, 2009 Obituaries:
"Madie Gibson Baulch
BAULCH, Mrs. Madie Gibson Age 90 of Franklin, TN, died July 9, 2009 at Claiborne Hughes Convalescent