Michael “Stein” Baughman Jr.

Michael “Stein” Baughman Jr., 88, of Farmerville, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at home and with family by his side on September 19, 2024. He was born on July 16, 1936, in Farmerville, to the late Michael Stein Baughman Sr. and Mary D. Gunter Baughman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Joe Henry Baughman, and Joe’s wife, Lynn Knotts Baughman.  
 
Stein Jr. lived an extraordinary life and was deeply loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He was a proud four-year, four-sport letterman and graduate of Farmerville High School. He attended Louisiana Tech University on a baseball scholarship and later transferred to the University of Mississippi where he continued to play baseball and study pharmacy. In 1959, he graduated with a BS in Pharmacy from Ole Miss and immediately moved back home to Farmerville to serve his community. He often said he never even considered going anywhere else to work. He wanted to come “home.”
 
Apart from his time away in college, he lived his entire life in Farmerville. Stein Jr. truly had an engrained love for the town of Farmerville and the people within it, and this love was evident to all who knew him. He was committed to leading and enhancing his community all the days of his life. Stein Jr. married his childhood sweetheart, Ann Gillum Baughman, in Farmerville, and it was here that they raised their three children, Stein III, Mary Ellyn, and Beth. Alongside his brother, Joe Henry, Stein followed in his father’s footsteps and faithfully served his community for almost four decades at Baughman’s City Drug until his retirement in 1996. After retirement, his servanthood for his beloved community continued when he was elected Mayor of Farmerville for three consecutive terms from 2009–2021. During his time as Mayor, Farmerville received several awards for various accomplishments. Stein Jr. was a faithful lifetime member of Farmerville United Methodist Church, where he served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, President of Methodist Men, President of the Finance Committee, and as a Sunday School Teacher. He also served Farmerville as an American Legion Baseball Coach, President of the Jaycees, Masonic Lodge Past Master, F&AM #53 Knight Templar, 32nd Degree Mason, Shriner, and as a member of Lions Club, Union General Hospital Advisory Committee and Hospital Board, Community Trust Bank Board of Directors, and Town Council.  
 
Stein Jr. was a shining example of a “family man,” and he adored his family— his three children, seven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and dozens of nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling the world with Ann, his beloved wife of sixty-six years, hunting with many of his best friends, making people laugh with his witty jokes and captivating stories, and cheering for his favorite teams, The Farmerville Farmers, the LaTech Bulldogs, and the Ole Miss Rebels.
 
Survivors include his wife, Ann Gillum Baughman, his son, Stein Baughman III (and Patti) of Colleyville, TX, his daughter, Mary Ellyn Booth (and Richard) of Newnan, GA, his daughter, Beth Baughman of West Monroe, his sister, Mitzi Gates (and Donny) of Farmerville, his sister, Lynn Duncan (and Bill) of Farmerville, his seven grandchildren, Michael Stein Baughman IV (and Jenhifer), Annie Brackett (and Ben), Ashley Booth, Allison Brantley (and Aaron), Amy Booth, Beth Ann Barber (and Brian), Caroline Morris (and Doug), and his eleven great-grandchildren, Michael Stein Baughman V, Sarah Ellyn Brackett, Caroline Brackett, Thomas Brackett, Anna Kate Brackett, Mills Brantley, Mack Brantley, Levi Barber, Rylee Thompson, Matthew Thompson, and Christian Reed.
 
Stein Jr./Daddy/Papa/Uncle Stein/Mayor Stein was an illuminator. He planted and nurtured many seeds of love that will continue to live and grow for generations to come.

Pallbearers are John Preaus, Joe Harper, Trey Towns, Billy Anderson, Scotty Booth, Raleigh Neely, Buddy Fisher, Tim Tettleton, Denny Walters, Jerry Taylor, Jimmy Grier, and Freddie Fields. Honorary pallbearers are Ted Lamprich, Tuffy Fields, Joe Preaus, Tommy Futch, Danny Tettleton, Bill Patterson, Bill Breed, Hon. Bruce Hampton, Robert Allen, Billy Jung, and Richard Kilpatrick.
 
Stein Jr.’s Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024 at Farmerville Methodist Church in Farmerville, Louisiana, with Rev. Hank Hamilton officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00-11:00 AM, and the service will begin at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at the Farmerville City Cemetery immediately following under the direction and care of Kilpatrick Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials be made to Farmerville Methodist Church, 301 Anthony Street, Farmerville, Louisiana 71241.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.