Jean Whitlock-Baines
Class of 1955
 

Daily Press (Newport News, VA) - August 17, 2007

Jean Whitlock Baines, a retired Senior Executive with the Department of the Interior, passed away on Aug. 15, 2007, at her home in Williamsburg, Va., from metastatic breast cancer.

She was one of the original employees of the Minerals Management Service and was present when the organization was established in 1982. She rose through the ranks and became the Associate Director for Management and Budget. Her responsibilities included Human Resources, Information Resources Management, Budget, Procurement, Contracting and Financial Management. She also played a key role in assisting with the transition between several Presidential administrations. She was honored with a number of very prestigious awards in her career including the Presidential Meritorious Service Award and Distinguished Service Awards.

Early in her career she worked for the Department of the Navy at several Tidewater Agencies. In the early 70's her husband was transferred to Richmond, Va., and as result she took a job with the Richmond Area Office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She was ultimately promoted to the position of Director of Administration. During this period she was the Disaster Coordinator for the Southwest Virginia area. In this capacity she established temporary disaster field offices in affected areas and worked on site for weeks to ensure that victims of disaster were properly supported.

In 1978 she transferred to Washington, D.C., with HUD, and was later selected as the first Director of Personnel for the Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General. Her duties were to get the new office established without disruption to the ongoing responsibilities of the Inspector General. As a result of her efforts, all Inspector Generals throughout the Federal Government now have Personnel Officers on their staffs.

She was born in Richmond, Va., and attended Cradock High School and American University. During her life she enjoyed skiing, horseback riding, tennis, golf, sewing and art. In retirement she enjoyed travel, golf, volunteering with Special Olympics, the Virginia Museum and the company of her friends. She had a special talent and passion for painting. She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Darden Baines; cousins, Wayne Giannotti, William Wakefield, Charles Whitlock, Todd Whitlock, Craig Whitlock and Ed Beattie Jr.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack and Virginia Salmon, and Benjamin and Nancy Baines; nephew, Jack Salmon Jr.; and many treasured friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Margaret Whitlock, and brother, Frank Whitlock Jr.

She was a member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church and Two Rivers Ladies Golf Association.

Friends will be received at the Nelsen Funeral Home, Williamsburg Chapel, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Saturday, Aug. 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Her funeral service will be held at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Road, Sunday, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m.

Private interment will be at Williamsburg Memorial Park Mausoleum, 130 King William Drive, Williamsburg, Va., Monday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Massey Cancer Center (MCC) Palliative Care Endowed Professor Fund, 1101 East Marshall St., Richmond, VA 23298-0230.