Pattie Nell Yates Baker, long-time resident of Tift County, died Friday, March 7, 2008, at Starcrest Nursing Home of Cartersville at the golden age of 99. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2008, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church. Dr. W. Ches Smith, III and Dr. Wayne Roe will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Grandsons, David Baker, Robbie Baker, son-in-law, Van P. Smith, grandson-in-law, Tom Wagner and great grandson, William E. Cooper, IV. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Eastern Star. The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 9, 2008, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mrs. Baker was born on September 11, 1908 in Alabama and was the daughter of William Lee Yates and Mary Lois Slagle Yates, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by one son, Huey Eugene Baker, who died in 1989; six siblings; and several nieces and nephews. When she was a child, the family moved to Tift County, where she married Chester Arthur Baker, Jr., who also preceded her in death. Pattie was a member of the First Baptist Church in Tifton for approximately 75 years. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Ladies Shrine Auxiliary. She was a good wife, loving mother and grandmother. She will be sorely missed by those of who knew and loved her.
Mrs. Baker is survived by two daughters, Patsy Ruth Baker Peace of Orlando, Florida, Jackie Baker Smith of Cartersville; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.