Margaret Mitchem Baity, age 86, passed away Monday, April 8, 2013, in The Masonic Home of Richmond.

She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Maggie Mitchem of Gwynn’s Island. She retired from the City of Newport News and moved back to Gwynn’s Island where she and her husband, Chester C. Baity, resided until eventually moving to The Masonic Home of Richmond. Chester passed away in 2011.

She was a member of Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church and was past Worthy Matron of Oriental Chapter No. 30, Order of the Eastern Star, in Mathews, Va.

In addition to her husband Chester, she was preceded in death by her brother, Talmage Mitchem, and niece, Mary Rountree.

She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Clarice Baity Miller of Trinity, N.C., and Rachel Baity Cranford of Thomasville, N.C. Also surviving are several nieces, a nephew, cousins, and a special friend, Laura Worst of Grafton, Va. Margaret had many, many good friends whom she cherished.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, April 12, 2013, at 4 p.m. in the Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church with burial to follow in the Gwynn’s Island Cemetery, and an Eastern Star service at the gravesite. The family will receive friends from 3-4 p.m. in the church on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made the Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church, Gwynn’s Island Cemetery Fund, or The Masonic Home of Richmond.

Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.