On Easter Sunday, March 27, 1932, God blessed the Rev. Mack Herbert & Mrs. Alvetta Flanagan Brown of Lumpkin, GA, with a beautiful baby girl who would enrich the lives of so many. In honor of the day she was born, they named her Precious Easter. Her birth was especially meaningful, as her parents had experienced the loss of stillborn twins two years earlier, and Mrs. Brown was forty-six years old when Precious was born. Precious was their only child, and both parents preceded her in death.

At an early age, Precious accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and united with Bliff Spring A.M.E. Church, where her lifelong walk of faith began.

Precious attended Lumpkin High and Industrial School before earning her Bachelor of Science Degree from Albany State College. She continued her education through studies at Fort Valley State University and completed Head Start training at the University of Georgia, preparing herself for a long remarkable career dedicated to educating and inspiring young minds.

In 1949, Precious married Charles C. Baldwin, who had been recruited by Mr. N.F. Williams to become a teacher at Swainsboro High & Industrial School and the first Black football coach in Swainsboro their home and were blessed with four lovely daughters.For approximately 35 years, Precious faithfully served the students of Emanuel County as a public school educator. Throughout her distinguished career, she taught Head Start, students in grades 1-12, and J.T.P.A. Programs. Her dedication to education earned her the honor of Teacher of the Year during the 1984-1985 school year, along with numerous additional awards and recognition from educational and community organizations. She also directed Folk Dance participants who earned many Blue Ribbon honors. Following her retirement, she continued serving the educational community as President of the Retired Educators Association. She was also an active member of local, state, and national teacher organizations.

After moving near St. Philip Baptist Church, Precious united with the church family where she faithfully served in many capacities for decades. She was a Senior Choir member, missionary worker, Sunday School teacher, and superintendent, Vacation Bible School teacher and director, and Youth Choir Director for approximately 50 years. With The assistance Of Mrs. Mary Habersham and contributions from local merchants, she organized and directed the nursery at St. Philip Baptist Church. She was also one of the founders of the Fifth Sunday Youth Choir Convention.Music was one of Precious' greatest passions. From an early age, she loved singing praises unto God. During High School, she and Annie Lois Jones were featured as a duet throughout their school years. She later sang with Albany State Choir, the Emanuel County Mass Choir under the direction of Mr. Matthew Howard, the Tri-County Mass Choir. Under the direction of Marque Johnson, the St. Philip Baptist Church Choir, and the 100 Voice Choir and the 100 Voice Choir of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of GA under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Ronald Terry.

Precious committed to serving others extended far beyond the classroom and the church. She was a Girl Scout leader and devoted countless hours to producing and directing church plays and programs for spectral occasions, including Christmas, Easter, and Mother's Day. She also served as President of the Progressive Ladies Club for approximately 20 years and was an active member of the NAACP. Through her leadership, mentorship, and unwavering dedication, she positively influenced generations of children, families, church members, and the community she dearly loved.

Following the passing of Mr. Baldwin, Precious found love again and married Rev. L.T. Southerland, lovely embracing his daughters Audrey Thomasena and Juanita, as her own stepdaughters.

Blessed with talents Precious enjoyed crocheting, sewing, gardening, and fishing. She was never afraid to tackle projects that others might shy away from, learning cabinet making, installing flooring, plumbing, and roofing in her own home. She even installed a muffler on her own 1955 Chevrolet. Caring for the sick and disabled became her special calling later in life, and she never believed in hiding gifts God had given her. She delighted in sharing her knowledge with others, enjoyed riding her bicycle, and had a wonderful sense of humor. Making people laugh brought her great joy, although washing dishes and keeping house were never among her favorite pastimes.

Preceding Precious in death were her husbands, Charles C. Baldwin and Rev. L.T. Southerland, her stepdaughter Juanita Southerland as well her beloved daughter Cassandra. Cherishing her precious memories are her daughters Thae Althea (Leroy) Davis of Augusta, GA, Gwendolyn Bonita Ford, Daphne (Jerry) Sherrod both of Swainsboro, GA; her stepdaughter, Audrey Thomasena Davidson; Rockchester1 NY, her goddaughter Precious Sweeney; her grandchildren Shaleita (Bruce) Sutton, Vonkesia Fann, Jemeka (Rashidah) Ford, Misha Ford, Adrienne(Antonio) Raymond, Camelia Johnson, Charlotte (Vanshun) Green, Charles Ford, & Nicholas Thomas, great-grands, and great great grands, other relatives, dear friends, former students, and all whose lives she touched. Although her earthly journey has come to an end, the legacy of Precious Southerland lives on through her unwavering faith, her love for family, her passion for education, her joyful spirit, and the countless lives she touched through service, music, compassion, and love. She leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.