Mary Ann Baker

Mary Ann Baker, 87, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born March 11, 1929, in Diehlstadt, Missouri, the daughter of William Earnest and Nada Ellen English Anderson. She and Bill J. Baker were married Jan. 2, 1948, in Piggott, Arkansas.

Mary Ann grew up on a cotton farm in Morley, Missouri, and graduated from Morley High School in 1947. She and her brother Billy managed cotton fields for their father, and she convinced her friends to help out. Mary Ann often would drive the red Farmall tractor to town to pick up mail and “hang out” with friends at the post office. She played basketball and was the star of the Morley High School team. She also played the saxophone in the band.

In 1944, she was crowned Neighbor Day Festival Queen in Benton, Missouri, and in 1945 she became the Cotton Carnival Queen of Scott County.

Mary Ann worked alongside her husband as the bookkeeper for B & B Marine, but was most happy about her time as a school teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Diehlstadt. She also was a member of the Cape Girardeau Pilots Club.

Loving survivors include a son, Joe Robert (Joy) Baker of Jackson; and two daughters, Mary Ellen (David) Fehrmann of Washington, D.C., and Deborah Elaine Naeter of Cape Girardeau. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Matthew David (Anna) Fehrmann, John Christopher (Angie) Fehrmann, Melissa Ann (Mark) Naeter Delong, Christopher Shawn (Gina) Naeter, James Travis (Angie) Naeter, William Todd (Celeste) Naeter, Joseph Ryan (Kim) Baker and Kandra Elaine Baker (Matt Gregory); and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; sisters, Wilma Faye Friga and Francys Marie Winder; and a brother, Billy Bryant Anderson.

A private family committal service will be held with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Southeast Hospital Hospice.

Online condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.

Local arrangements were by McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.