Inez Baucum, pioneering Christian social worker, dies at age 96

Inez Baucum

Inez Baucum, a pioneering social worker among child-care programs associated with Churches of Christ, died Wednesday, Jan. 9. She was 96.
The Children’s Home of Lubbock, Texas, shares details on Baucum’s passing:

A celebration of the life of Inez Baucum will be held on Monday, January 14, 2013 at 10 a.m., at the Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas. Inez died on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, after a brief illness.
Inez came to The Children’s Home of Lubbock in 1955 to qualify the Home as a licensed placement agency for foster care and adoptions. She had earned her Bachelor’s of Social Work Degree From the University of Oklahoma and her Master’s Degree from the University of Chicago, and she came to the Home as the first social worker to serve in any child care program associated with the churches of Christ. In her 25 years at the Home she was responsible for the placement of over 600 children by adoption.
Inez retired from the Home in 1980 and continued her second career as a Professor of Social Work at Lubbock Christian University.  She was instrumental in helping to establish the social work program at LCU, helping to achieve national certification for the program.  She continued to teach for the next 15 years. Countless numbers of young people were taught and mentored by Inez during her working years.
In 1987 she was named by the Christian Chronicle as one of 100 Trail Blazers during the Twentieth Century. In 1993 she was selected to be the recipient of the Social Work Lifetime Achievement Award for the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social  Work.  In 2008 she was honored by The Children’s Home of Lubbock for her pioneering work in adoption.
Lynn R. Harms, President of The Children’s Home of Lubbock, said, “Inez was a driving force, not only in the strength of our own program, but she influenced many other programs to become more professional in their care of children. Countless individuals have been inspired to become more effective workers for hurting children.”
Today, The Children’s Home of Lubbock pauses to thank our God for the many contributions Inez made to our success with children.
Memorials to honor Inez may be made to: www.childshome.org

• Feedback
  I knew Inez, and am pleased she is being honored in such an appropriate way. Praise God for her life and influence.

  Alvin Jennings

  January, 11 2013

  I remember the day so very well when Inez brought my baby sister to me. It was December 22, 1968. She and Brother White brought her to our home as a foster baby. My sister is one of the few who was placed with foster parents and was able to be adopted by them.
  A couple of years earlier, Inez introduced me to my baby brother.
  I was always so amazed at her memory of her children. She always knew us when she saw us in public. Always, and remembered our names! People were important to her and children even more so. So glad to see her honored in such a way. Praise God for Inez. May the childcare workers everywhere be influenced by her love and dedication.

  Melody Huffman

  January, 11 2013

  To a wonderful compassionate Christian woman. Thanks. I was placed at the Lubbock Childrens Home in 1976 at 15. She was the one that was instrumental in the care of me and placed me with a family whom I now call my own. She saw to the other children that followed me into that home. I have loved her for her love for me and the children she worked to provide for. God is blessing her now with her great reward.
  I love you Inez.
  John

  John McLain

  January, 11 2013

  For several years Inez came to my workshops for public school teachers and made presentations. She did a fantastic job. She always received great evaluations. She was a positive influence. Glenna

  Glenna Burns

  January, 12 2013

  When I went to University of Denver School of Social Work in 1967-69 I heard about Inez and never having seen a real �Christian social worker� I drove to Lubbock to meet Inez. We later called ourselves cuz. She was an inspiration in the 60�s for many of us who came later. Wonderful sense of humor. She ws an inspiration.

  James W Balcom

  January, 12 2013