Willabelle Baker's Obituary
Willabelle Burgess Baker, 92, flew to Jesus on the morning of Memorial Day, May 30, 2016 from her home on Lake Norman, surrounded by her children. She was born in Unaka, in Cherokee County, North Carolina on August 24, 1923 to Henry Jefferson Burgess and Malissie Crow Burgess, and delivered by her grandmother the local midwife.
Her early years were spent in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the daughter of a mountain logger and the granddaughter of the local miller. She moved to Caldwell Station in northern Mecklenburg County as a girl, and graduated Valedictorian of Cornelius High School. A woman of courage and character, she joined the Navy during World War II and served among the first women in the armed forces. After being honorably discharged, she worked in Chicago, Illinois before returning home to Mecklenburg County to marry, finish college and start a family.
God’s spirit was strong in her life and she was a steady force of honesty, love, diligence and strength to all around her. She was a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church and raised her children in the church. She retired early to spend time with her husband of 23 years, Howard H. Baker, Sr. She traveled extensively in Europe with her son, David: This grand tour brought her many stories and happy memories. She was a woman of great energy and spirit, never satisfied to sit on the porch and rock, and was active all the days of her life, until the Lord called her home. She was an intellectual with a great laugh, who sought and mastered new talents: quilting, cross stitching, ceramics, oil painting. She was an avid swimmer, gardener, baker, and tireless worker.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Frank Boyles, Howard H. Baker, Sr.,and Gaines E. Brown, Sr., and her sisters Ruby B. Robertson, Ruth B. Blackwelder, Jean B. Villanacci; and her brother Bill Joe Burgess.
She is survived by her two children: Candi B. Wilson (William “Bud”) and David J. Baker (Laura) and her grandchildren, Joy Haigler (Jeff), Shan Wilson (Jennifer), Christopher Burgess Baker and Willa Kate Baker. She is also survived by her stepchildren, and step-grandchildren.
Also surviving are her dear sisters: Bette Burris Warren (Albert), and JoAnn B. May.
Private services were held at her home by the lake with Robert Lee Kennedy, Stephen Minister, music director and beloved family friend, officiating. Memorials may be made to Bethel Presbyterian Church, Cornelius, NC.
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