Baptist philanthropist Eula Mae Baugh dies

Posted: 8/31/07

Baptist philanthropist Eula Mae Baugh dies

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

Less than six months following her husband’s death, prominent Texas Baptist philanthropist Eula Mae Baugh died Aug. 29 after suffering a stroke. She was 89.

Baugh and her husband John, who died March 5, are known for their support of Baptist efforts, including those of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Baylor University, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Baptist University of the Americas, Houston Baptist University, Baptist Child & Family Services and Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty.

“Mrs. Baugh was a great Christian raised in a pastor’s home,” said BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade. “She never lost her love for helping churches grow. She was a true partner with her husband John in building their business and in growing their churches and in her role as wife and mother. She was truly an example of great Baptist women who have given so much to help our churches and our institutions touch the lives of people across Texas and the world.”

The Baughs were awarded the title Alumnus Honoris Causa, the highest Baylor honor to non-alumni. The couple was among the founding benefactors of Baylor’s Truett Theological Seminary, which began in fall 1994 with 51 students enrolled in classes at First Baptist Church in Waco. In 1997, the Baughs provided the lead gift to construct a permanent home for Truett Seminary.

On Jan. 14, 2002, the 64,000-square-foot Baugh-Reynolds Campus of Truett Seminary held its first classes, and now encompasses a student body of more than 380 students.

In 1991, the Baughs received one of Baylor’s most distinguished awards—the Founders Medallion—which is reserved for men and women whose service and contributions have been unusually significant to the life and future of the university. In addition, the Baughs were the inaugural recipients of a custom Baylor stained-glass hanging, which is awarded at the highest level of the Medallion Fellowship.

In 1989, the Baughs established the John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship in the Hankamer School of Business, which supports the theory of family-owned business. The Baugh Center assists entrepreneurial efforts through the FastTrac Entrepreneurial Training Program, the Innovation Evaluation Program and the Institute for Family Business.

The Baughs have donated funds toward more than 20 programs and projects at Baylor throughout the years, including the School of Music and School of Social Work, endowed scholarships, academic programs, facilities such as the Glennis McCrary Music Building and the McLane Student Life Center, athletic programs, and various memorial and tribute funds in honor of Baylor faculty members.

“Eula Mae Baugh will be fondly remembered at Baylor University for her gracious and gentle spirit and her deep commitment to her family and her Christian faith,” said Baylor President John Lilley. “Her husband once said that his one distinction was being married to Eula Mae. From their more than 70-year marriage to their faithful support of Baylor, the Baugh’s dedication to the things they found important sets a good example for us as we continue to pursue excellence in Baptist higher education.”

BUA’s new campus is set to be called the Baugh Family Campus in honor of the family’s commitment to the school.

The Texas Baptist Missions Foundation honored the Baughs with the Pioneer Award. The Eula Mae Baugh Student Center continues serving the Houston Baptist University student body.

“This very day I visited the Baugh Student Center and saw a wonderful place that is a blessing for our students. It reflects the love and compassion of Eula Mae Baugh and will for years to come,” said HBU President Robert Sloan.

Brent Walker, Baptist Joint Committee executive director, expressed grief over Baugh’s passing, nad he indicated her dedication to the Baptist Joint Committee made a difference in lives across the country.

“We are saddened to learn of the death of Mrs. Baugh,” he said. “A godly woman, wife and mother, she was the lifeblood of the Baugh family. She and her late husband, John, and her daughter, Babs, long have been folks who supported financially those things they held dear. Certainly, the Baugh family’s ardent support of the BJC has bolstered the cause of religious liberty. She now, again, joins her husband of seven decades, and God.”

Baugh taught Sunday School classes for more than 60 years, spending as many as 25 hours a week preparing each lesson. She taught classes of college students, youth, singles and adults.

When the BGCT entered into a partnership with Baptists in Brazil, the Baughs connected with a pastor in Sao Paola who was trying to build a church. They provided the funds for the building materials, while the members of the church provided the labor. They traveled at least twice to Brazil to see the progress, and John Baugh spoke at the “inauguration.” There is a plaque on the Sunday school building thanking the Baughs for their help.

“Mrs. Baugh, along with her husband, found so many ways to serve the Lord,” said Bill Arnold, president of the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation. “Whether through teaching in Sunday School, supporting their church or helping with Baptists causes around the world, she honored her Lord every day.”

Baugh took on projects and helped people like it was her daily duty. She got large trucks filled with food delivered to hungry people. She organized her Sunday school class to clean all the crystal chandeliers in the sanctuary. She saved labels from soup cans for a children’s home.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Sept. 1 at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston. The services will be handled by George H. Lewis Funeral Home at 1010 Bering. Visitation will be Saturday morning from 9 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation, BCFS, Baylor University Alumni Association or Truett Seminary.

Baugh is survived by her daughter, Babs Baugh and her husband, John Jarrett of San Antonio; her granddaughter Jackie Moore and her husband, Kim Moore of San Antonio; her granddaughter Julie Ortiz and her husband, Carlos Ortiz of Austin; her great grandchildren Sterling, Katie and Jake Moore and Breck and Alexa Mae Ortiz, and her brother and three sisters.