Obituaries

Mildred A (Payne) Baker

Photo of Mildred A (Payne) Baker
Mildred A. (Payne) Baker, age 97, died Friday, June 29, 2012, in Fulton. She was the daughter of Jacob Allen Payne and Anna (Bartley) Payne, A native of Callaway County, she was born April 19, 1915, on a farm near Ham's Prairie homesteaded by her great-grandparents in mid-1800s. She attended Ham's Prairie School and was salutatorian of her graduating class at School (now University) of the Ozarks at Pt. Lookout, Mo., in 1939. She met Francis Earl Baker while he was a student at Westminster College in Fulton. After he joined the U.S. Navy, they were married in San Diego, Calif., in September 1939. His first overseas station took them to Guam. She returned to Ham's Prairie in October 1941 amidst rumors of war with Japan, when civilians were sent back to the U.S. when Japan invaded Guam, Earl became a prisoner of war at a camp in Zentsuji where he remained imprisoned until the end of the war. When Earl returned to the U.S. in October 1945, they lived in Ocean View, Calif., and later were transferred to various U.S. Naval bases across the country. In October 1954, while stationed at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Virginia, Earl was enroute to a naval base in West Africa, when all passengers and crew on the plane were lost at sea over the Atlantic. After her husband's death, Mildred, affectionately known as Midge, returned to Callaway County where she devoted her life to nurturing her four children. A talented cook, she enjoyed serving family and friends. She was famous for her wonderful apple pies, prize-winning lime pickles, and pecan divinity. Her family grew up as members of the First Christian Church in Fulton. In addition to working as a bookkeeper for a variety of businesses, Mildred especially enjoyed working for the Callaway County Recorder's office for a number of years before retiring. She is survived by her children, Anna (Bill) Klobuchar of Wentzville, Ruth Baker of Waverly Hall, Ga., Marie (David) Beaver of Fulton, John (Iris) Baker of Winter Haven, Fla.; and grandchildren, Connie Raybourn, Amy (Tim) Flickinger, Darren Beaver, Brooke (Tony) Hartman, Rebecca (Chris) Chaney, Matthew Hux, Mark Hux, Matthew (Krystle) Baker, Laura Baker and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her stepmother, Ethlene (Rice) Payne; her sister, Elizabeth (Glen) Moore of Jefferson City; and a three-year-old sister, Mary Frances. Her family will miss her deeply, but find peace and comfort in God's promise that she is resting in the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ. Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at Maupin Funeral Home in Fulton with Reverend Ed Varnum and Revered Don Baker officiating. Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m., Monday July 2, 2012, also at Maupin Funeral Home. Interment will be a Ham's Prairie Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Ham's Prairie Cemetery, c/o Maupin Funeral Home, 301 Douglas Blvd., Fulton, MO 65251. Online condolences may be shared at www.maupinfuneralhome.com

Published June 30, 2012