Laura Margaret (Wood) Baker

Laura Margaret (Wood) Baker lost her battle with cancer but gained glory on Tuesday evening, July 10th at 9PM. She was given 75 years of life through the fervent prayers of family, friends, and churches to whom she was always grateful. Glory be to God. She was born on August 11, 1936 in Gallia County, the only daughter of the late Walter Elnathan Wood (March 19, 1968) and Kathryn Ellen (Dumolt) Wood (March 2, 1974). She had four brothers who preceded her in death: William Phillip “Bill” July 18, 1962, Charles Elma “Jack” August 8, 1999, Walter “Junior” June 3, 2003 and S. Patrick “Pat” February 24, 1999. Four sisters in law: Mildred Marie (Wood) Glass, Joann (Sherrit) Wood, Mary Ann (Pickens)Wood, Laura Jean (Baker) Craft and two brother in law: James Hobart Craft and Harold Glass. She is survived by her beloved husband, Richard Adrian “Dick” Baker, they were married March 10, 1956. To this union two loving sons, Richard Lewis “Rick” and David Adrian “Dave” were born. Also surviving are two precious daughters-in-love, Cynthia Lynn “Cindy” (Schneider) Baker and Rita Jean (Wilhelm) Baker. Three thoughtful and loving grandsons: Curtis Robert “Curt” Baker, Matthew David “Matt” Baker and Michael Charles Baker, one so special granddaughter Nicole Katelynn Baker, one granddaughter-in-love, Jennifer Renee “Jenny” Little Baker (Matt); several nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews whom she loved very much; many special friends and neighbors who were always there for her in prayer and support and her special family: Jim, Gwen, Nick, Lehanna, Caleb and Joel Craft. She was a graduate of Rio Grande High School (1954), a graduate of Rio Grande College (1956) with an Associate and Teaching Certification, in 1967 received a Bachelor of Science from University of Rio Grande and in (1975) received Masters in Education from Ohio University. She was awarded Martha Jennings Scholar in 1983. Laura retired from teaching in 1990 with thirty years from Gallipolis City Schools. She loved teaching and the children. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church and served as Sunday School Teacher many years. Past president of (Ohio Chapel) Christ United Methodist Church Women’s Society, Beta Alpha Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma, Gideons Auxiliary, and Gallipolis Education Association. She was a lifetime member of Ohio Retired Teachers Association and Gallia Co. Retired Teachers Association. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 14, 2012 at the Willis Funeral Home with Pastor Jack Berry officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 12 to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. The family will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Gideons International or Christ United Methodist Building Fund.