Erma Lee Baldridge

Erma Lee Baldridge was born August 24, 1940, to Bluford and Florence (Angotti) Price in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, and departed this life on April 29, 2026, at her home in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, at the age of 85 years old.

Erma was united in marriage on August 25, 1956, on Martin’s Creek in Sharp County, Arkansas to the love of her life, Lenard Baldridge. They spent 62 devoted years together before the passing of Lenard. Now, they are reunited together again.

Erma treasured her time with her family. Family time usually involved food, like her chicken ‘n dumplings, making homemade ice cream, eating watermelon, or a shrimp boil. Of course, we cannot forget the desserts and the pies she loved to bake. She loved to cook and shared that passion with all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

They always had a garden and Mom canned; another trait and talent she passed down. Even this year she wanted to put up some tomatoes and tomato juice, of course with some help. Tomatoes were planted in her little garden bed just the day before her passing. We would tease her by saying she was growing the tomatoes to feed the squirrels.

Erma loved to travel with her husband and children whether on vacation or in later years buying trips for their store. You could see the excitement in her eyes, whether it was looking over the rails at Niagara Falls or finding a good bargain at a yard sale.

The rules for traveling were to pack light so we would have more room in the truck. Many stories were told of their earlier years together and treasured memories made on these trips. Mom loved to collect glass and had an eye for selecting unique pieces, always having room for just one more piece. Erma always worked by Lenard’s side, whether they were cutting timber, farming, or, in their later years, running their store, Treasure Chest, in Hardy, Arkansas, or at their home.

Erma is survived by her three children, David Baldridge, Sue Schuerenberg, Sharon (John) Wrenfrow; her grandchildren, Davina (Joe), Alan (Donna), Jesse (Mallory), Donnetta (Todd), Jonathan, Jessica, Jennifer (Chris), Trey; and her eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bluford and Florence Price; her husband, Lenard Baldridge; and her great-grand daughter, Julia Schuerenberg.

She will be greatly missed by all those that loved her.

A Visitation will be on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel of Thayer, Missouri.

A Funeral Service will be at 2:00 p.m. following the visitation. 

Burial will be on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the Thayer Cemetery of Thayer, Missouri. 

Services in care of Carter Funeral Home Inc., -Thayer, Missouri