Fay Baker

Fay Carol Burris Baker, beloved wife of Emmett Baker Jr. and loving mother of a daughter, LaTanya F. Rainey, departed her earthly home at 4 a.m. Tuesday, March 2, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital, after an extended illness.

Fay was born Nov. 13, 1951, in Cairo, Ill., to the union of Thomas and Ida Ray Burris Sr. She was united in holy matrimony to Emmett Baker Jr. Sept. 5, 1981, and made their home in Cape Girardeau.

She was baptized at First Missionary Baptist Church 19th Street in Cairo. She united with her husband in worship at Second Missionary Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. For the past nine years she has been under the pastoral care of the Rev. Wiley Reed.

Sister Baker was a devoted and faithful servant, serving wherever needed, but her love was being a part of the Usher Board helping others.

Fay was a long-time member of Starlighter's Society of Cairo. Her employment history started in Cairo working several jobs: Alexander County Assessor's Office, IGA, Wonder Market and Denny's IGA. She was employed at Thorngate Ltd. the past 19 years until becoming ill.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved mother, Ida Ray Burris; a loving husband, Emmett Baker Jr.; beloved daughter, LaTanya F. Rainey; three beloved stepdaughters, T. Gail Bishop, Pam (Loren) Sides, and RuthAnn Humphrey; three stepgrandchildren, Kisha, Rashad and Sergie; and two great-stepgrandchildren, Kathleen and Cameron.

Also five beloved sisters, Gloria (Freddie) Patton of Cairo, Z. Thomasine (George) Johnson of Elgin, Ill., Sharon A. (Donald) Box, Luna L. Lewis and Rose M. Burris, all of Cairo; five beloved brothers, T. Thurston (Gail) Pettigrew of Chicago, Thomas F. (Erma) Burris, Kermit Burris, Arnold (Janice) Burris, all of Cairo, Wendell L. (Avia) Burris of Panama City, Fla.; two brothers-in-law, Frank (Rebecca) Baker of Fort Wayne, Ind., Rodney (Helen) Baker of Cape Girardeau; three sisters-in-law, Millie Mays, Ruth (James) Cato and Lois Daye, all of Fort Wayne; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas F. Burris Sr.; father and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Baker Sr.; and two brothers-in-law, Charles King and Shelby Baker.

Friends may call at First Missionary Baptist Church in Cairo from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday from 11 a.m. until time of service at Second Missionary Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Second Missionary Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Wiley Reed and the Rev. Darryl K. Cox officiating. Burial will be in Lorimier Cemetery.

Massie Funeral Home in Cairo is in charge of arrangements.