Samuel A. Baker, 77, has passed from this life into the next on November 29, 2007 in Ocean Springs, from Melanoma Cancer.
Mr. Baker was born September 3, 1930 in Gulfport and graduated from Gulfport High in the class of 1949.
Mr. Baker made his career working for F. W. Woolworth in Gulfport and went on to become manager. He worked for them for 25 years until Woolworth closed itaÌââ¢s doors. He then went on to become manager of Howard Brothers in Ocean Springs and stayed with them for 10 years until they sold out to another company. After his retirement from retail business, he went to work for the Ocean Springs School District working with the food department.
He served his country during the Korean War aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Curtis. While in the Navy, He was aboard the Curtis during the atomic test at Eniwetak proving grounds in the Marshall Islands.
He was also a member of the Merchants Round Table discussions at Savannah , Ga. during the racial crisis in the early sixties. He met with many of the top members of NAACP and Martin Luther King.
His favorite hobbies were fishing, sports, and reading. He enjoyed every moment he was able to spend with his family.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Gertrude Baker, his father, Samuel A. Baker, his sister, Lillian Bond, and his brother James Neil Baker. Of his siblings, he is survived by Jane Bird and husband Bill Bird of Westchester, New York, Johnnie & La Ferne Baker of Gulfport.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Vesta Eeds Baker, three sons, Terry Allen Baker, Ocean Springs, Billy Joe Baker and wife Yvonne, Ocean Springs, David Baker, Ho Chi Minh City, South Vietnam and one daughter Marilyn Kaye Murray and husband John, Euless, Texas. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Alyssa and husband Brett Booth, Jarrett Baker, Michelle and husband Mark Fittz, Lyndsay and husband Denis Kashoid, Aaron Sullivan, Steven Baker, Joshua Baker, Courtanay Baker, and Marina Baker. His two great grandchildren are Micah and Arianna Fittz.
I would like to thank the fine staff of nurses at Ocean Springs Hospital, the caregiver Barbara Liddell, and most of all the Hospice of Light. Through them we were able to meet and learn to love Glenda. She brought the love of God into our home and we truly thank her. We love you Glenda!
One hour visitation will be held at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi. Mr. Baker has chosen to be cremated. There will be no funeral but a visitation will be held on Sunday, December 2 from 3 to 4 p.m.