Mary Lou Hale

Mary Lou Baughman, 82, Prairie Grove, died peacefully in her sleep March 15, 2016. The daughter of Troy Evans "Red" and Clara Gladys (Walker) Hale, she was born October 14, 1933, in Dutch Mills, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

She moved with her mother and sister to Harrison, Arkansas at a young age. It was there that she met and married her late husband, Clifford Baughman, on March 11, 1950. The couple resided on their small farm in Harrison until his passing.

Mary loved traditional gospel, bluegrass, and folk music. She taught herself how to play piano and autoharp by ear and played music in the area throughout her life. In particular, she played with the Melody Music Makers and Saturday nights at the North Arkansas College.

Mary was a dedicated member of the community. She had served as a 4-H leader and was very active in Grubb Springs Baptist Church. She and Clifford worked together in their tole painting business, Backwoods Tole, spending many years selling their paintings at Silver Dollar City and War Eagle Craft Fairs, amongst others. She established Ye Ole House for local craftsman of Boone County and the surrounding area.

Mary is survived by her children, Paul Baughman and Patti Erwin, both of Fayetteville; her brothers, Robert and Vernon Hale of Dutch Mills; her sister Willa Dean Villines, of Dearborn, Missouri; her grandchildren, Matthew Reid and Stacia Baughman, of Fayetteville, Ark.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m., Friday, March 18th, at the Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. Funeral is 11 a.m., Saturday, March 19th, at the Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. Burial is at Milam Cemetery in Harrison. Online Guestbook: rollerfuneralhomes.com/harrison