Erica LaShawn Mcdonald Baldwin

Erica LaShawn McDonald Baldwin was born in Baytown, Texas on May 9, 1970 to Madeline McDonald and the late Isaac B. Hart. She attended Ross S. Sterling High School there where she graduated in 1989. In 1992, she became employed by the Harris County Sheriff's Department as a jailer. After attending the University of Houston Officer Training Academy, graduating and becoming a sheriff's deputy. There she met a man named Franz Sebastian Yvoinor Baldwin, who would become her husband and they were blessed with 2 beautiful daughters. Erica retired from the Sheriff's Department after 10 years of full-time service. She went on to work for CCA and the Spring Independent School District ending her career at Northgate Crossing Elementary working in the Special Education Department, a job that for her was very rewarding. Erica also had an entrepreneurial and enterprising spirit. She started her own confection company, the Praline Pot, specializing in pecan pralines and 7-up cakes. She also successfully helped her husband Franz become the 1st African-American Mayor of Corrigan, Texas making her the 1st African-American First Lady. Erica was a woman who loved God. In 1996, she became a member of Faith Temple Evangelistic Center Church of God in Christ and has remained a member until the time of her death. Erica had a true love for God and His Word and delighted in sharing the wisdom of the Word with all that she came in contact with. As in Proverbs 31:10, she acknowledged God in all things using wisdom as her guide. Erica had a wonderful and warm spirit and was truly loved by everyone. This woman of God loved her family and all extended family the same. She was preceded in death by her father, Isaac Benton Hart, Sr. and her step-father Boes Lucky Johnson, grandmothers Orange Lee Kennedy and Ella Handy Johnson; grandfather Herman James McDonald and great-randmother Eddie "Bang" Joseph; Uncles Thomas Chester Womack and Micheal Alex Kennedy. Her memories and legacy will be deeply cherished by her husband Franz S. Y. Baldwin; children Enjoli Imani Joyce and Elexi Amira, and granddaughter, Madeline Dean Archie; Mother, Madeline Joyce McDonald; sister, Alicia Fay McDonald, and brother, Boes Lucky McDonald (Nicole). Mother in law, Wanda Baldwin, brother in law Frank Baldwin, Jr. (Eka), sister in law Madeline Wright (Charles), and Zelma Freeman (Kenneth), The McDonald, Kennedy, Womack and Gary families, The Johnson family , The Baldwin family and The Hart family, respectively; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.