Mr. Michael Xavier Baskerville passed on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 in Greensboro, North Carolina.  Graveside services will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 12 noon at Elm Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, US Business 29, Reidsville, NC.  Public viewing will be held on Friday, January 22, 2021 from 1:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the McLaurin Memorial Chapel.

Michael Xavier Baskerville was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on August 11, 1955 to Phil Baskerville, Sr. and Josephine Wallington Baskerville.  He departed this earthly life at his home on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Michael was a baptized member of Elm Grove Baptist Church in Reidsville, North Carolina.  From an early childhood age, Michael was called "Buddy". The name stuck as he is still affectionately called "Buddy" today by his family members and many lifelong friends.

Michael graduated with honors from James B. Dudley High School in the Class of 1973.  Michael went on to attend North Carolina A. & T. State University and ECPI University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.

Michael was employed most recently as an accountant at United Child Development with 29 years of service until his passing.  Right out of high school, Michael became employed and spent 18 years in the banking industry at American Federal Savings and Loan Bank, where he served as a teller and loan officer.  He later became the branch manager of the American Federal Savings and Loan - Lincoln Grove Bank Branch.

An avid reader and sports fan and since childhood, Buddy's favorite sports teams were the Green Bay Packers, the Boston Celtics, and the Atlanta Braves.  At an early age, he subscribed to the morning and evening newspapers and could expound with total recall the statistics of his favorite sports figures - Hank Aaron, Willie Mayes, and Willie McCovey.

Michael had a strong commitment to his family.  He married LaDonnell (Donna) Harrison Baskerville from Reidsville, North Carolina in August, 1995, and in August, 2020, they celebrated 25 years of marriage.  LaDonnell's special aunt, Mrs. Gracie Graves, who passed in May, 2020 was very fond of Michael and was a strong supporter of Michael and LaDonnell's marriage.  Michael's unwavering commitment to his mother was evident by his weekly Saturday afternoon visits, as they often watched a game and shared many stories - old and new, until the pandemic in March, 2020 when most visits were by phone.

Michael was predeceased by his father, Phil Baskerville, Sr.; his stepfather, Daniel Curry; his paternal grandparents, Junious and Lucy Burwell Baskerville of Roanoke, VA; and his maternal grandparents, Isaac and Elizabeth Ayers Wallington of Greensboro, NC.

Left to cherish Michael's memory are:  his caring, devoted, and loving wife, LaDonnell "Donna" Harrison Baskerville; mother, Josephine Wallington Curry; brothers, Phil Baskerville, Jr., Gary Baskerville, and Daniel "Danny" Baskerville, Sr.; sisters, Denise Baskerville Hall, Ann Baskerville Reeder (Randy), Wanda Baskerville, and Donna Curry Wilkerson; stepfather-in-law, Willie Stockton; stepmother-in-law, Pearl Harrison; brother-in-law, Eric Stockton; sister-in-law, Sylvia Jones; maternal uncles and aunts, Odell and Sheilda Wallington, Ann Wallington, and Cornelius and Barbara Wallington; uncles and aunts-in-law, Cecelia and Haywood Blackwell, Aaron and Peggy Harrison, Thurman and Joann Harrison, Sullivan and Gloria Welborne, Ernestine Harrison, and Charlotte Wilson.

Michael also leaves to cherish his memory many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, the Canyon Neighborhood Community, and many lifelong friends who became family.

McLaurin Funeral Home is serving the family.  Covid-19 precautions will be followed with social distancing, masks and sanitizing required.  You may connect to the Virtual services via teleconference call by dialing (701) 802-5263 and then access code 6545855# or FaceBook livestreaming via McLaurin Funeral Home's FB page.