Minnie Bell (Briggs) Baughman, age 89, resident of Waterford, PA since 1947, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 after a period of failing health. Born on January 13, 1925 in Weldon, NC, Minnie was a daughter of the late Matthew Turner and Minnie Bell Turner.

Baughman, Minnie Bell (Briggs)In earlier years, Minnie worked as a civilian secretary of airplane parts supply at Seymour Air Force Base in North Carolina. She met her future husband, Melvin Briggs, there and they were married on December 30, 1944. He died on March 23, 1966. She subsequently married Warren Baughman in April of 1973 and he died on April 5, 1997. From 1957 until her retirement in 1987, Minnie was employed as a cook at Fort LeBoeuf High School.

A member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Waterford, Minnie also was a member of American Legion Post # 285 Auxiliary in Waterford and a past member of Waterford Rebekah Lodge. She enjoyed traveling especially to the New England States and to North Carolina.

Surviving Minnie is a son – Mark A. Briggs of Sutton, MA and a daughter – Brenda K. Haight and her husband, Joseph of Waterford; four grandchildren – Christan J. Stempka, Matthew T. Stempka, and Shayna Haight all of Waterford; and Shelly (Haight) Fry and her husband, Michael of Meadville; three great grandchildren; two great great granddaughters; and a great great grandson. In addition, Minnie is survived by several dear friends – Wilbur and Jennie Davis of NC and Kathy Coyle of Erie. She was preceded in death by four brothers, four sisters and a best friend – Louise Chase.

Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home in Waterford on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 and are invited to a funeral service there on Friday at 10:00 a.m. Reverend Jim Fish, United Methodist Minister, will officiate. Interment will be in Waterford Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Leukemia – Lymphoma Society of Erie.