Marie Cecilia Baker

Proverbs 31:28 - Her children arise up, and call her blessed...

Kingsport - Marie Cecilia Baker, age 91, born August 24, 1924 in Baltimore, MD to Will and Annie Holland (both deceased), passed away at home peacefully in her sleep on June 29, 2016. Marie was preceded in death by husband, Tennessee State Senator Hayden B. Baker, and sisters Margaret Hogenson and Dorothy Chearney.

She was one of those rare people who put you at ease with her humor (even when she wasn't trying to be funny) and brought love and joy to all those around her. To give you an idea of her fun spirit, when her grandchildren grew to be teenagers (and they were normal, active teens), on New Year's Eve, they and their friends didn't go out partying - they went to Gran's house. Their grandpop Hayden was affable and outgoing in his own right, and there was always lots of food for visitors, but they went there because of Gran. She loved to play games - Trivial Pursuit, board games, card games - and they'd all play games till the early morning hours. The kids said more than once that when they were all conking out, Gran was the one saying, "Just one more game."

Marie was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church, where she was saved. She was faithful to her God and to her church, and she ended every prayer with, "God, please save the lost before it's too late."

She is survived by sons, Gary Baker, Hayden Baker and wife, Kathy, David Baker and wife, Jo, and Jimmy Baker and wife Inez; daughters-in-law Vicki Baker and Karen Randolph; 13 grandchildren, Kristi Herron and husband, Scott, Lesley Stephens and husband, Mike, Brian Baker and wife, Romina, Brent Baker and wife, Samantha, Daniel Baker and wife, Jill, Marine Lt. Colonel Jon Baker and wife, April, Ann Marie Sears and husband, Tim, Jason Baker and wife, Mandy, Tim Baker and wife, Charlene, Jeff Baker and wife, Christy, Chad Baker, Wil Randolph, and Ali Randolph; granddaughter-in-law, Michelle Baker; 22 great-grandchildren, James Wright, Kasey Reece, Ellie Stephens, Lily Rose Stephens, Tavi Baker, Ben Baker, Cody Baker, Ryan Baker, Catie Baker, Jordan Brantley and husband, Chris, Anna Jo Baker, Jodi Baker, Emma Baker, Tanner Baker; Graham Baker, Riley Baker, Hannah Baker, Ella Kate Sears, Jackson Sears, Madison Yates, Jaxon Baker, and Callie Baker; great-great granddaughter, June Capri; special nephew, Bobby Chearney and wife, Merle; and special niece, Ginger.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Pleasant View Baptist Church, 2101 Stadium Dr., Kingsport, TN 37664 or your favorite charity.

Visitation will be Sunday, July 3 from 1:00 to 3:00 at Pleasant View Baptist Church, with funeral service following at 3:00 with Pastor Wayne Baker officiating. Burial at Holston View Cemetery in Weber City will follow the funeral at approximately 4:00.

Pallbearers will be grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be Pleasant View Deacons.

The family wishes to extend thanks to Amedisys Hospice for their services during the last two weeks of Marie's life and to Visiting Angels for the care of Marie for the past few years.

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