Deaconess Mary Lou Baker Obituary (1927

Deaconess Mary Lou Locust Baker, after 95 prosperous years of life, on November 30, 2022, while in the midst of her extended loving and nurturing Heritage Hall family, took flight to her heavenly home. Mary was humbly born November 8, 1927, the third child of Jannie Spencer Locust and Clinton Locust in Lunenburg County, Virginia. She often shared memories of growing up a country girl enjoying the family life on a 66-acre farm where they produced all their fruits, vegetables, grains, sugar cane and raised livestock. During her early childhood years, there were reflections of trips to the mill with Momma and Poppa on the wagon drawn by "Old Charlie Horse," feeding the chickens, milking the cows (before going to school), stringing tobacco leaves (after school) and gathering the crops all year long. After Poppa's death, she enjoyed driving his '53 Ford Galaxy piling all the kids in minus the back seat. At an early age she accepted Jesus Christ and joined the Bethany Baptist Church of Kenbridge, Virginia. Over the years she assumed many responsibilities and remained devoted to her God. Some of her contributions were Sunday School teacher, missionary secretary, deaconess, president of the senior choir (for over 25 years) and a member of the R.E.N. Gospel Chorus. She was a praying Christian woman who often recited the 23rd Psalm and the "Lord's Prayer" along with her own version of "Thank You Heavenly Father." Two of her favorite songs were: "There is Not a Friend Like Jesus" and "We've Come This Far by Faith." Upon graduation from Lunenburg Training School in 1945 she headed north to live with her sister Sarah and acquired a job as a nurse's aide at a nearby hospital. After a few years, she returned to the rural life and sought employment at Camp Pickett in Blackstone as a nurse's aide. Then, eventually landed a job as a seamstress at Craddock-Terry Shoe Factory in Victoria where she enjoyed making lifelong friendships. After retiring, she took on the challenge of pursuing a certificate in Child Development from Southside Virginia Community College and graduated in 1991 at age 64. In 1950 she was joined in holy matrimony to Eugene Matthew Baker of Prince Edward County. To this union they were blessed with four children: George Clifton, Ruby Jane, Reba Cordelia, and William Eugene. She loved and embraced her family and the neighborhood children. Her nieces and nephews lovingly called her "Aunt Mary," cousins, "Cousin May Lou," and the neighborhood children, "Mrs. Baker." Mary lived life to the fullest with a smile on her face. Her hobbies included gardening, cooking, sewing, dancing, photography, and playing cards and board games with the grandkids. Family and friends enjoyed her delicious hot rolls, coconut and red velvet cakes, sweet potato, coconut and Jamaican pies. Many admired her beautiful flowers, canning, and the skillful making of macrame purses and bird cages. Proceeding her in death: her husband: Eugene Baker; parents: Jannie and Clinton Locust; her brother: Clinton Jr.; sisters: Sarah Morton and Alease Barnes; nephew: Costello Barnes; niece: Mary Alice Barnes and her adorable neighbor, Geneva Ingram. Leaving to cherish her memories are her four children: George Baker(Delores) of Richmond, Virginia; Ruby Ingram of Victoria, Virginia; Reba Seaborne(John) of Chester, Virginia; and William Baker of the home; nine grandchildren: Michael, Damon "Tony," Ebone, Daiwana, Tyrone, Camesha, Christina, Taylor and Jordan; ten greatgrandchildren: Keyon, Eric, Jalen, Amare, Adrian, Ahman, Alani, Elijah, Aaron, and Layla; three nieces: Harriett, Synobia, and Dora; four nephews: Daniel, John, Charles and Herman Roscoe; a host of other relatives, cousins and friends.