Nina Harriette (Barker) Ludington

Nina Harriette Ludington
23 November 1935 – 27 February 2026
90 years of age

Nina Harriette “Mike” Ludington, age 90, of North Wilkesboro, entered her Heavenly home in the early morning of February 27, 2026, surrounded by the love of her Family.
Born on 23 November,1935, in Laurens County, Georgia to June Hard Barker and Martha Augusta Smith.  Nina, going by Harriette, and her brother Franklin Pierce were raised in a very large home owned by her Grandfather Hardy Hamilton Smith, also occupied by several other family members and relatives due to the hardships of the day. Nina’s beloved Uncle Edmund Smith was prominent in her life during her parents’ absence.
Nina attended school in Dublin, Georgia until the summer before her Senior year when her parents moved her and her brother to Boston, Massachusetts. Nina gained her lifelong nickname of “Mike”, as she and her good friend Pat were compared to the “Pat and Mike” of the 1952 comedy of the same name, starring Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. 
Nina graduated high school in Boston and began attending Baylor University in Waco, Texas, studying Ecole Primaire. It was while working in a bank in Dallas that she met the future father of her children, Dewitt Talmage Baker Jr, a Soldier stationed at Fort Hood whose parents, Dewitt T. Sr. and Flora Belle Baker lived nearby. Nina and Dewitt married in Dallas and settled in Killeen, while Dewitt served the remainder of his U. S. Army enlistment.
The Baker family, after many moves (Lubbock, Grand Prairie, and Houston TX; El Centro, CA; Virginia Beach, VA) and consisting then of David, Patricia Diane, Dorthi, and Dwight, ultimately settled in Bryan-College Station, Texas. There, the birth of Doris Anne (Dab) brought the family to seven.
Nina was later married to Willie Randermann and continued residing in Bryan where she rejoiced in her ability to enjoy and love her Baker grandchildren as well as Willie’s extensive family.  She retired early from Texas A & M University to help care for her daughter Patricia Diane, her love mixed with sorrow as she lost her to cancer. With Willie’s passing, Nina moved herself and Dwight to Hickory, North Carolina to be close to her eldest son, David.
Nina married Paul W. Ludington in Hickory, then moving to Wilkesboro where Paul preceded her in death. Age and crippling arthritis severely limiting her independence, she and Dwight moved to North Wilkesboro for a higher level of care. 
Nina was strong in faith, devoted to family, and deeply loved by many, freely sharing her love with all. Her long-awaited reunion with her mother and daughter Diane is now complete – a blessing she had prayed for and one her faith assured her would come. Nina loved Gospel music and knew many, many hymns by heart. Her ties to Bryan run deep. She was a regular viewer of the Cavitt Street Church of Christ in Bryan, Texas, Sunday services online. 
Nina Harriette “Mike” could happily recite the names of all her grandchildren and great grandchildren (but don’t interrupt her). They are as follows: son David and Tina Baker, grandson Tyler and Ruyi Baker with Meiling; granddaughter Sara and James Senge Jr with James (Boo) Senge III; daughter Patricia Diane (deceased) and Jim (deceased) Allen; grandson Russell and great grandsons Aidan, Caulen, Jordan, Cameron and Lukas; grandson Joshua and Deb Kirby with great granddaughter Aletheia; daughter Dorthi and Scott Bearden; grandson Deton Bearden with great grandson Elliot, grandson Grady Bearden; granddaughter Mary Aubri Nash with great granddaughter Saige Swaffer; daughter Dab Lewis with grand daughter Candra, and grandsons Camden and Chaney Lewis.
Nina “Mike” was cremated as she desired. The family will conduct a small celebration of her life when the spring brings us all new hope.
Condoles may be sent to: www.adamsfunerals.com
Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Services are honored to be serving Nina’s family

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