Mary Huffman Baynard, age 80 of Forest City died Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Hospice House in Forest City.  Mary was born on August 6, 1943, in the Green Mountain Community of Mitchell County and was the daughter of the late Roy and Velma Jarrett Huffman. 

She was an educator in the Rutherford County School System. Having taught in several schools, she completed her career at Mt. Vernon Elementary School where she taught for 33 years and retired.  In total, Mary’s teaching career spanned more than 44 years.  She was a member of Wilson Baptist Church in Bostic. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Hugh Baynard, Sr. who died in 2013.

Survivors include her son, Ray H. Baynard, Jr., and wife Amy of Trinity, North Carolina, her daughter, Machelle Baynard Underwood, and husband Jerry of Bostic, as well as grandchildren, Morgan, Emma, and Ryan Baynard, Jacob Phillips, Loren Underwood, and Will Underwood,  her great-grandchildren, Chace Aaron Blanton and Olyvia Jean Underwood, and beloved nieces, Kelly Baynard Wilkerson, and Brooke Baynard Gulley.

A service from the graveside will be held at 2 o’clock on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Wilson Baptist Church Cemetery with Chaplain Jill Johnson officiating.  The family will greet friends following the service in the Sanctuary.

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