Wallee Baker

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. -- Wallee Henry Baker, 80, formerly of Bell City, Mo., died Sunday, May 25, 2003, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Ill.

She was born Oct. 31, 1922, in Darling, Miss., daughter of George Howard and Carrie Travis Henry. She and Walter Baker were married Jan. 1, 1942. He preceded her in death.

She lived in Missouri for more than 76 years before moving to East St. Louis in 2002. She was a nurse aide at the Bell City Nursing Home before retiring. She was a member of Christ Sanctuary Church of God in Christ in Bell City.

Survivors include two sons, Walter Baker Jr. of Chicago and David Baker of Bell City; four daughters, Genevie Jenkins and Poncetta Baker of Sikeston, Mo., Rosie Shirley of Chicago and Hattie Ward of East St. Louis; two brothers, George Henry and William Henry of Bell City; three sisters, Ruth Williams of Bell City, Carrie Lee of Chicago and Bernice Campbell of Cape Girardeau; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by a sister.

Visitation will be from 12 to 2 p.m. Saturday at Christ Sanctuary Church of God in Christ. Funeral will follow with David Pullen and Elisha Pullen officiating. Burial will follow in Pullen Memorial Garden Cemetery in Bell City.

Williams-Farr and Purnell Funeral Home in Sikeston are in charge of arrangements.