Almeta Baker

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Almeta Lorene Baker, 91, of Marble Hill passed away Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Nov. 18, 1922, in Burfordville, daughter of Marvin Roscoe and Ruby Leadbetter Shanks. She and Melbern Malachi Baker were united in marriage June 24, 1941, and he passed away June 8, 1986.

Almeta worked in Lutesville, Mo., Cape Girardeau and Jackson as a shoe inspector. She was a homemaker and a member of the Locust Grove General Baptist Church, where she served as church secretary and treasurer for more than 30 years.

Survivors include sons Melbern Jr., Clinton and Howard Baker, all of Marble Hill, and Marvin Baker of Grassy, Mo.; daughter Joyce James of Marble Hill; brothers Roscoe, the Rev. Franklin Shanks, both of Marble Hill, and L.J. Shanks of North Augusta, S.C.; sisters Verona Wilder of Marble Hill, Lou Mazzarella of Wood River, Ill., and Marabeth Banks Creve Coeur, Mo.; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Weldon Shanks; grandson David Andrew Baker; son-in-law Bill James; and daughter-in-law Janey Baker.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Locust Grove General Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Baker Cemetery near Marble Hill.