Georgia Geraldine Baynard came into the world on a Monday in May, the 25th of 1931. Her parents, Roy Anderson Baynard and Georgia Anna Towery Baynard of Forest City welcomed her as well as her older brother, Roy Glenn Baynard. A younger brother, Max Towery Baynard came two years later.

She grew up in Forest City, walking to Forest City Elementary along the railroad tracks and stopping by Greasy Corner on the way home for an after-school treat when pennies or nickels were available. She was a Girl Scout who recalled rolling bandages for the war effort of World War II. She graduated from Cool Springs High School in 1950. Geraldine was a devoted daughter who lived at home with her parents until she married Harold Thomas Arrowood in 1966. Their daughter, Amy Elizabeth, was born in 1967. At that time, she became a devoted mother and a few years later a single one.

Along the way, Glenn married Frances Gordon and gave her a “sister” and later, Max brought Patricia into the family. Patricia passed and some years later she gained another “sister” in Donna. Along the way, she lost her parents and Glenn and Frances as well.

In 1971, Geraldine and Amy began life in Rutherfordton (Ruth) where Geraldine worked at Tanner Companies until retirement. She always wanted to “go home to Forest City” and after retirement she was able to live there alone until just a few years before her death.

In 2001, her new favorite person was born, her granddaughter Lily Izabella Taylor. They spent days together during school breaks watching the “stories”, coloring and crafting and going to the beauty parlor and McDonalds afterward.

Her final years were spent at Hilltop Health and Rehabilitation where she expressed her wishes freely and often. Many thanks to the staff who took good care of her and knew exactly where to put her water pitcher after meals and who didn’t take it personally when her feathers were fully and completely ruffled.

She is survived by her brother, Max Baynard of Morganton, daughter Amy Taylor of Rutherfordton, granddaughter Lily Taylor of Rutherfordton and much beloved nieces and nephew.

The funeral service will be held at 2 o'clock on Friday, January 23, 2026 in The Padgett and King Chapel with the Reverend Bruce Caldwell officiating.  Interment will follow at Eternal Hills Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 o'clock prior to the service at the mortuary. 

Memorials may be made to Spencer Baptist Church 187 North Oak Street, Spindale, North Carolina 28160 or The Spindale Public Library, 131 Tanner Street, Spindale, North Carolina 28160.  

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com.