AHOSKIE – Vernon Glenwood Baker, Jr, age 77, died November 26, 2009, at Wake Medical Center, Raleigh, NC.
Mr. Baker was born on June 12, 1932, to the late Vernon Glenwood Baker, Sr. and Margaret Valentine Baker in Bertie County, NC.
He is survived by his wife of over 53 years, Mary Farless Baker; one son, William ‘Woody’ G. Baker and his wife, Beverly P. Baker of Melbourne, Australia; one daughter, Mary Marche Byrd and her husband, Neil Byrd of Clayton, NC; four granddaughters, ‘Carrie’ Caroline Elizabeth Baker, ‘Margo’ Mary Margaret Baker, Maryanna Grace Byrd and Abby Baker Byrd. Also surviving is his sister-in-law, Betty F. Baker of Colerain. He was predeceased by his brother, Al Baker.
Vernon was a graduate of Colerain High School, Campbell Junior College and East Carolina University and a retired educator after 35 years of service. He taught and coached at Maury High School, Norfolk, VA, Colerain High School and Ahoskie High School until 1970. He then served in administration in the Hertford County Schools until retirement. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Ahoskie where he served as director of Sunday School, a teacher of adults and a deacon. He was a member of Ahoskie Lions Club and served as District Governor of 31J of Lions International, 1978-79. His love for the outdoors inspired him to enjoy golfing, fishing and hunting. After retiring, he enjoyed every minute as a guide for C. Pierce Hunting Preserve of Cofield, NC.
The family will receive friends at any time, at the home. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Ahoskie on Sunday, December 6, 2009, at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of choice, the Colerain EMS, P.O. Box 397, Colerain, NC, 27924, Colerain Fire Department, P.O. Box 247, Colerain, NC, 27924, or to Clayton Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 45, Clayton, NC, 27520.
Garrett-Jones Funeral Home is serving the Baker family. Family and friends may send condolences and sign the online guestbook by visiting www.garrettjonesfh.com.
Margaret Newsome posted on 12/1/09
Dear Mary,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. I will always be thankful for all that you and Vernon did for my parents. I have fond memories of him during my days at Ahoskie High School.
He and my father shared a love of family, education, golf, and God. I know they are together again.
May God bless you always.
Love,
Margaret Newsome
Randy & Teresa Lane posted on 12/2/09
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Mary Marche and your family.
Drs. Calamos, Marsh and Emrich Raleigh office posted on 12/3/09
To All the family, We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Nikki Overton Carlyle posted on 12/1/09
Baker Family-
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your family has always held a very special place in my heart and always will. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. Your ever present faith will pull you through!
Love,
Nikki
Pat Kinlaw Peck posted on 12/1/09
I am so saddened to learn of Mr. Baker's passing. He was always one of my favorite people at AHS and through these many years. Mrs. Baker, you and all the family will be in my prayers for comfort and peace during the difficult days ahead. God bless you.
Alison Phlegar posted on 11/28/09
Ms. Mary, Woody and Mary Marche, I am so terribly sorry to hear this news. I know this has been a terrible shock to you all. Please know my love and prayers are with you.
Mary Marche, I love you and will see you soon.
Lena Forehand Eldridge posted on 12/1/09
Mary,
Vernon was the life of the party. His memory will always bring a smile. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Lena
Rhett & Gwen White posted on 11/30/09
Our thoughts and parayers are with you during this difficult time.
I shall always remember being at the USA/Canada Lions Forum with then District Governor Vernon, in Detroit.
Rhett White
Louis A. Cullipher, Jr posted on 12/2/09
I was saddened to hear of Coach Baker‚??s death. I will always remember and be thankful for the positive influence he had on my life. My days on Coach Baker‚??s football team are some of my best high school memories. The great influence Mr. Baker had on many young people is a fitting memory to his life.
My condolences to the family,
Lou Cullipher
Merritt & Betty Peele posted on 11/28/09
Mary, just got home from Maryland and found out about Vernon Jr. Could not believe it. Its l2:00 midnight so its too late to call you now. I will talk to you as soon as I can. We are so sorry. Love you, Betty & Merritt
Thelbert Brown posted on 12/1/09
My thoughts and prayers are with you for your loss of a wonderful person.
Mr Baker was one of my favorite teachers at Ahoskie High School.
He will always be remembered as one of the finest people I ever met.
Tommy Powell posted on 11/30/09
Mrs. Baker sorry to hear of your loss. Vernon taught me at Harrellsville High School in the early 60's. Seems like our hair grew the same and we met at Jason's to get a hair cut the same day. Prayers are with you and know God will see you through these difficult days ahead. Tommy
Natalie Young Sexton posted on 12/2/09
Dear Baker Family,
I was so saddened to hear of Vernon's death. He and your family are an ingrained and treasured part of my fondest childhood memories in North Carolina. From good times at the river to being chided about my yankee accent--"What color are your "oies"?--you are special people. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Natalie
Amy Hawkins posted on 11/30/09
To the Baker family,
So sorry to hear this news. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Amy Joyner Hawkins
Skeeter Bryant posted on 12/5/09
Mrs. Baker,
I was so sorry to hear of coach Baker's passing. I have good memories of him coaching me at AHS. I enjoyed the last time I saw him and catching up. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Skeeter
Claire Morris posted on 11/30/09
My sincere condolences in the loss of Mr. Baker. I know he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sandy and Jeff Grier posted on 12/4/09
To Mary Marche, Neil and Family, we are So saddened by your loss. Mary Marche you are a strong and amazing person and We hope and pray you and your family will find comfort and peace during this hard time. We are sorry we could not attend the service but we have our own caregiving concerns that limit our ability to get away for any extended time. We are with you in thought, prayer and spirit. See you soon.
Linda McKeel posted on 11/30/09
Mary,
My love, thoughts and prayers are with you, Mary Marche, and Woody during this
difficult time. I will always have very fond memories of all the great times we had with all of you (especially Vernon). Golly gee--what an amazing man! Take care..
Becky Young posted on 12/4/09
Mary, Woody, and Mary Marche,
We share in your grief. What a happy man Vernon was. What a loss for family, friends, church, and community. Jim and I plan to see you at the memorial service.
Love,
Becky
Bobbie Armstrong posted on 11/30/09
Dear Mary and family: Don, Meredith, and I were so saddened to hear about Vernon. He was a wonderful person. You have our sympathy for your loss and our prayers to help you get through your grief. God Bless You.
The Armstrongs
Cathy and Tim Marriner posted on 12/5/09
Our prayers and thoughts are with you during these difficult days. We love you and your family. We are sorry we couldn't be there this week. Please know that we have lifted you up in prayer many times. We will see you soon. All our love....Cathy and Tim
Judi Parker posted on 11/30/09
My heart goes out to your family. From the time I had Mr. Baker as a PE coach and health teacher, he became one of my favorite people and I looked forward to seeing and receiving that bear hug of his whenever we happened to meet. He will be greatly missed by all who had the opportunity to know him. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Elaine Taylor posted on 12/5/09
December 5, 2009
I just received word concerning Vernon this evening. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I've been gone since November 24 visiting with Sandy and Cherry Ann. I'll call when I get back home.
Love and prayers,
Elaine
Kirkpatrick posted on 11/30/09
Dear Mrs. Baker, Woody & Beverly, Mary & Neil, and precious grand-daughters, We have just learned of your great loss and wanted you to know that we are thinking about you. God bless you as you come together to celebrate Mr. Baker's life and your love him and for one another at this sorrowful time. Keeping you in our prayers, Jim and Selena Kirkpatrick
Gene Daniels posted on 12/14/09
Mary:
I just now found Vernon's obituary. I extend to you my condolences. This comes with fond memories of you during our Riverside School years and of you and Vernon during our Colerain High School years. I am so thankful that I had the pleasure of seeing you and Vernon at Hallet and Ann's anniversary party a few years ago.
I now wish for the peace of the Lord to be with you and your family.
Gene
“Thank you so much for taking care of our family during this difficult time. You did a super job. May God bless you.”
Garrett-Sykes
Funeral Service
Ahoskie
205 NC Highway 42 West
Ahoskie, NC 27910
Garrett-Sykes
Funeral Service
Rich Square
116 Short Street
Rich Square, NC 27869
Garrett-Sykes
Murfreesboro
Chapel
314 West Main Street
Murfreesboro, NC 27855
Garrett-Sykes
Aulander
Chapel
117 South Commerce Street
Aulander, North Carolina 27805
Linda & Glenn Chitty posted on 11/30/09
We are so sorry to hear about Vernon. He was such a special person. Mr.and Mrs. Chitty thought so much of him and Glenn and I appreciated the interest, and concern that he always gave the two of them. You and your family are in our prayers and thoughts. Linda and Glenn Chitty