Mary Ruth Moore Baker, 93, of Tifton died Saturday, February 27, 2010, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church. Dr. Wayne Roe, Dr. W. Ches Smith, III and Dr. Herbert Meza will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Chris Moore, Ken Collier, Chris Skibinski, Rusty Parker, Steve Moore, Marty Moore, Jimmy Moore and Benny Johnston will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Adult 2 Bible Learners Sunday school class at Tifton’s First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mrs. Baker was born on June 9, 1916 in Walton County. At about two years of age, she moved to Tift County and has been a resident of Tift County ever since. She was the daughter of James W. Moore and Azalee Chaffin Moore, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin James “Ben” Baker, who she married on November 10, 1933; one son, James Ronald Baker; one daughter, Bessie Azalee “Betty” Baker at the age of 18 months; one sister, Edna Moore Lewis; two brothers, George Moore and Lewis Moore; three half brothers, Harvey Moore, Homer Moore and Leonard Moore; and two half sisters, Florence Moore Richardson and Mamie Moore. She was a member of Tifton’s First Baptist Church since October 1935 and was an active member of the Bessie Tift Sunday school class. She served many years as the Outreach leader. She also enjoyed singing in the Senior Adult Choir, Joyful Sound.
Mrs. Baker attended Tifton High School and was instrumental in class reunions. In addition to being a dedicated wife and mother, she was on the staff of Dr. Paul Lucas for 20 years. She was president of the Elks Auxiliary and the Shrine Auxiliary and also was a member of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Baker is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Franzle and Herbert Meza of Jacksonville, Florida and Bennie and William G. Moore of Albany; one brother and two sisters-in-law, Marvin and Ann Branch Moore of Tifton, and Madge Ross Moore of Tifton; one brother-in-law, Cecil Johnson of Cantonment, Florida; five grandchildren and their spouses, Karen and Rusty Parker, Ken and Caroline Collier, Yvette and Al Armstrong, Chris and Dawn Moore and Mary and Chris Skibinski; and 13 great grandchildren, Jordan and Jeff Parker, Amanda and Robby Collier, Carmen and Dylan Armstrong, Savanna, Caleb and Haven Moore, Sarah, Jack, Luke and Maria Skibinski.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Senior Sunday school classes or the Joyful Sound Choir of Tifton’s First Baptist Church.