Rufus Asberry Baxley

Rufus Baxley, 81, of Cumming, GA, passed away Friday, September 11, 2015 at Dogwood Forest of Cumming Assisted Living Facility, where he resided. Born in Fayetteville, NC on May 12, 1934, he was a son of the late Rufus A. Baxley, Sr., and Carrie Tucker Baxley. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Janet Bird Baxley; sons David Baxley of Inwood, West Virginia, and Allen Baxley and his wife Genny, of Cumming, Georgia. Mr. Baxley was a graduate of North Carolina State University (formerly North Carolina State College). After graduation, he moved to St. Albans, West Virginia and began his 32-year career as a chemical engineer with the Union Carbide Corporation. In 1988, the family moved to Georgia, where he enjoyed a second career at the Digital Corporation, and retired in 1996. He was a faithful member of Cumming First United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School and was a long time teacher of Disciple Bible Study. He had an avid interest in the history of North Carolina textile mills, drawing from his heritage growing up in and round the mill villages of eastern NC and was a member of the Cooleemee Textile Heritage Center in Cooleemee, NC. R.A., as he was known to his family, was a devoted father and husband and known to all as a kind and generous man. He will be deeply missed. Funeral services will be held in Cumming, Georgia at Cumming First United Methodist Church on Monday, September 14 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. A service will also be held in St. Albans, West Virginia, on Thursday, September 17 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Entombment will be at Cunningham Memorial Park in St. Albans, WV. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to two organizations which were dear to him: Red Bird Mission (www.redbirdconference.org); Cumming First United Methodist Church Food Pantry www.cfumcga.com). Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886.9899