Charlene Baker

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Charlene Smith Baker, 76, of Sikeston died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

She was born Dec. 16, 1927, at Formosa, Ark., daughter of Claude and Cora Shipley Smith.

She and Jack Baker were married in 1947 in New Madrid, Mo. He died in May 1994.

She was a machine operator at International Shoe and a nurse at the old Sikeston hospital.

Survivors include a son, James Baker of High Ridge, Mo.; a daughter, Janis Graham of Sikeston; two brothers, Thomas Smith of Coarsegold, Calif., Bill Smith of Sikeston; three sisters, Gloria McRoberts and Sharon Hart, both of Essex, Mo., Claudette Howell of Taft, Calif.; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a brother.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Blanchard Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bill Pennington officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.