Frances Baldwin Alvarez, a native of Robertsdale, a longtime resident of New Orleans and Mobile, died Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 in Newnan, Ga., following a lengthy illness.
She was born June 3, 1923, and, following a childhood in Robertsdale, she graduated from Tulane University and later taught at St. Mary’s Dominican High School in New Orleans for 44 years.
In addition to her teaching, she was a skilled caterer and an experienced international tour guide — by the time she retired from teaching she had been in 91 different countries.
Another of her favorite activities was supporting the Auburn “War Eagle” football team. Following her retirement she returned to the Mobile area and lived there until she moved to Newnan shortly before her death.
She was preceded in death by two sons James Joseph “Jim” Alvarez III and Thomas Jackson “Tom” Alvarez; her parents Eula Belle Williams and William Patrick Baldwin of Robertsdale, and brother Michael W. Baldwin of Robertsdale.
Survivors include a son, William Patrick “Pat” (Stephanie) Alvarez of Cherokee, N.C.; two daughters, Baldwin Alvarez Tidmore of Newnan, Ga., and Marion Alvarez (Byrnes) Kuehnle of Mobile; daughter-in-law, Lauren Keller Alvarez, grandson, James Keller "Jake" Alvarez of Mobile; granddaughter, Lauren (Nick) Kuehnle Rachel of Memphis, Tenn.; sister, Gloria Baldwin Kessler of Mechanicsburg, Pa., sister-in-law, Carmeleita Baldwin McDavid of Robertsdale; numerous other relatives and friends.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 at the St. Pius X Catholic Church, 217 S. Sage Ave., Mobile.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601 or to the SPCA, 620 Zeigler Blvd., Mobile, AL 36608.
Arrangements are by Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home and Crematory, Peachtree City, Ga.
