Jacqueline Holley Baugh was born on December 19th, 1926, to Richard Howard Holley and Lillian Rutherford Holley in Pittsburgh, PA where her father was working in the steel industry. The Holleys also had a son previously, Jackie’s brother, Richard Howard Holley Jr.
The Holleys returned to Atlanta soon after her birth, and little Jackie, as she was called, grew up for the most part on 10th Street near the Georgia Tech campus. The Great Depression was in full force, and her father worked hard at Atlantic Steel Plant not far away.
Jackie eventually graduated from Girl’s High School in Atlanta. One lively story about the two siblings involved that great Atlanta cultural icon, “Gone With the Wind.” Dick Jr. was a member of Atlanta Boy’s High Military Guard. The family were all big fans of the book, and excitement ran high before the premiere in Atlanta. Dick, Jr. was selected to be one of Clark Gable’s Honorary Guards, escorting the star in his limo and into the theatre. The whole family was excited for the big night when they planned to line the street in front of the Lowe’s Grand Theatre to see the celebrities.
Only, Jackie didn’t get to go. She came down with Scarlet Fever! The infection, not the movie.
On July 11th, 1943, 2 young sailors were walking down 10th Street looking for the home of Dick Holley and his family. One was a handsome young sailor named Charles Henry Baugh from Birmingham, Alabama. Unfortunately, no one answered the doorbell, so the 2 young soldiers planted themselves on the porch swing and waited.
Across the street, a neighbor saw the two young men and immediately called her neighbor, “Mama Rutherford,” Lillian Holley’s mother and Jackie’s grandmother. She asked to speak to Jackie, whom she had seen going to visit. When Jackie answered, the neighbor said, “Jackie, if there were 2 handsome sailors sitting on my front porch, I think I would go home!”
Jackie didn’t need any prompting! Charlie Baugh’s first impression was a deciding moment. He says, “I saw this beautiful, tiny little brunette girl skipping down the street with a huge smile on her face, and that was it.”
Charlie “accidently” left his camera on the fireplace mantle in the Holley’s living room to ensure a return visit. Jackie herself knew Charlie was “the one.” She always said she “knew at first sight that she was going to marry Charlie.”
Jackie and Charlie were married on December 1,1945 at First Baptist Church in Atlanta. The minister was also scheduled to give the commencement blessing to open the Georgia Tech football game that day, so the ceremony was brief. When the minister said, “You may kiss the Bride,” Charlie was slow to proceed, probably savoring the moment. His mother, Mrs. Ashton T. Baugh, Sr. of Birmingham, called out, “Charlie! Go ahead and kiss her!”
Jackie and Charlie’s first child was Jacqueline Holley Baugh, born in September of 1949. They all lived in the house on 10th Street with the Holleys. In 1957 they moved to the “suburbs” of Morningside, Atlanta.
Charles Henry Baugh Jr, was born in 1960. These 2 children received an upbringing filled with the devotion of wonderful parenting.
One great legacy that Jackie bestowed on her 2 children was a great love for the arts. The effects of the Depression had kept Jackie from learning ballet or music, and she was determined that her children would have the arts in their lives. Charlie was now a respected pharmacist, and eventually the owner, of Baugh and McElveen Drug Store in Highland Virginia. The family was also very involved in the music ministry at First Baptist Church, Atlanta.
Through Jackie’s determination, both children had active participation in music, taking weekly piano lessons. Holley also enjoyed ballet. Both children were encouraged to read. Some of Holley’s earliest memories are of her mother reading to her at bedtime. Jackie would be so tired that she often fell asleep in the middle of the story. At that point, Holley, never sleepy, would poke her Mom and yell “Read Mommy Read!” Jackie also had a gift for drawing, and she created many, many paper dolls for Holley to color and cut out.
Another recipient of Jackie’s loving care was her granddaughter, Paris. The daughter of Holley, born in 1972, was her only grandchild, and Jackie had great influence on her upbringing. As Holley worked, Paris was tended by her grandmother who loved her with all of her heart.
Jackie had a great love for babies. Especially after they became members at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Buckhead, Charlie and Jackie actively participated in helping with the Youth Choir under the direction of Dr. John Condra. Jackie and Charlie organized and provided dinner between Sunday rehearsal and evening service for the large Youth Choir for more than 20 years, a great labor of love.
Jackie later was a devoted worker in Second Ponce de Leon’s Nursery, taking care of the babies while their parents went to Sunday School and Church.
One of the greatest acts of love Jackie ever embarked upon was caring for her mother through a long journey with dementia. Lillian Holley was known as “Nini” by the family. She began developing dementia symptoms later in life, and Jackie took total care of her. Nini never went into a hospice or institution. Jackie was devoted to her mother, and Nini died peacefully in her own bed at age 89 having never been hospitalized, just loved through the ordeal by the efforts of a devoted daughter.
Jackie’s influence of love – for her husband, her children, her mom and dad-her church and her Jesus- was a very quiet one. She never called attention to herself. She always gave to her family’s needs before her own.
Her great gift of love for the arts carries on in a legacy with her children. Charles Baugh Jr. has become a noted singer, music teacher, and international performer. He sang for 18 consecutive seasons with the Atlanta Opera. He studied and performed all over Europe and still sings today with numerous churches and musical groups. His students have gone on to perform internationally and enjoy leading roles on Broadway.
Holley’s work in the arts is mostly in the area of marketing and development for arts organizations in the Atlanta area, particularly in ballet and dance. She has written a weekly column about arts in the news for the Gwinnett Daily Post since 2007. Jackie lit a fire in both of her children to nurture and support what they loved, and they did.
Jacqueline Holley Baugh is survived by her husband Charles H. Baugh, Sr., daughter Jacqueline Holley Calmes and her husband Richard Calmes, son Charles Henry Baugh, Jr.,her granddaughter Paris Kucharski and husband Joe Kucharski, and great-grandsons Zachary Kucharski and Alexander Kucharski.
Jackie’s love for her parents, her husband and her children continue to be a light that shines on us all.
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