Bernyece Geraldine Baker

Bernyece married Victor Fredrick Andrade on 8 Aug 1957 in Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA. Victor was born on 8 Apr 1933 in Corning, New York, USA; died on 20 Mar 1997 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA; was cremated in Gulf of Mexico. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lavern married Ettie Mae McLain on 18 Apr 1925 in Bellaire, Michigan, USA. Ettie (daughter of Pearl Robert McLain and Maudie Ann Harper) was born on 3 Apr 1909 in Ensley Center, Michigan, USA; died on 4 Dec 2007; was buried in West Oshtemo Cemetery, Oshtemo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ettie Baker was a caring wife, mother and grandmother. Her sharp mind was kept keen by her lifelong joy of reading, and her skillful handiwork made her home a delightful place to be. She was committed to her family her entire life, and at age 92, made a faith commitment that ensured her eternal life with God.
Ettie was born at a time of change in America, from assembly line manufacturing to women?s suffrage, from the temperance movement to fair labor laws affecting children. The United States was emerging as a world power, yet the coming years of war and economic depression also shaped the character of its citizens. Ettie learned to be frugal out of necessity, but her knowledge and skills made simple-living beautiful.
Ettie was the oldest of three children raised in Cadillac, Michigan and supported by their father?s work for the county. At the age nine, her parents divorced and she stayed with her father and her mother moved to Huntington, Indiana. In time, both parents remarried, and Ettie became the big sister of nine more children on her father?s side and two more sisters born to her mother. The care of younger children was a responsibility she learned at an early age that never left her.
By the time Ettie was eight years old, she was finally able to start school, but her intellectual ability was noted well before her formal education. She could remember events in her life from age three, and her curiosity was peaked by reading. It seemed she always had a book in her hands. Ettie graduated from Bellaire School at age 15, having completed the 8th grade, yet her love of reading made her a lifelong learner.
Ettie was still living in Bellaire when she met LaVern Baker, who was six years older than she. They fell in love and were married on April 18, 1925. Children soon followed, and Ettie was happy to care for her family by the work of her hands. Of the nine children born to Ettie and LaVern, their son Dale died when he was just a few hours old.
Ettie?s love and attention toward her family was shown through her actions. She was a diligent homemaker and excellent seamstress. Her flower and vegetable gardens yielded beauty as well as produce for canning and jelly-making, and her sewing skills turned out many quilts and children?s clothing. It was amazing to watch Ettie turn a men?s coat, that she bought at the Salvation Army, into several outfits for the kids.
In 1928, Ettie and LaVern had moved from Bellaire to Kalamazoo when his brother got him a job on the Michigan Central Railroad. Then in 1932, they moved to a home on 30th Street in Paw Paw. It was a great place for the kids to bring their friends, and Ettie welcomed them all. In the 75 years that she lived on that 26-acres, she loved having a house full, especially on holidays and at family reunions.
When LaVern retired in 1964 after 35 years with the railroad, he and Ettie took time to travel. They spent vacations in Canada, Florida and their cabin in Grayling. They often took their grandkids up north to the cabin for camping and fishing. Truth be told, Ettie didn?t fish, but she loved to eat it.
LaVern and Ettie?s time together in retirement was cut short when he suffered the second stroke of his lifetime. He died in 1971 after 45 years of marriage, and Ettie never remarried. She devoted herself to her grandchildren and her favorite pastime. She continued to read, especially about alternative health methods, and she delighted in little children. With the birth of each grandbaby, Ettie made a quilt. But perhaps her greatest gift to succeeding generations was the stories she told. Ettie?s life of simplicity and devotion will long be remembered from the words she spoke and the example she was.
Ettie was preceded in death by her husband, La Vern in 1971; a son Dale in 1931; a daughter; June Ogren in 1997, a grand daughter Ernestine Baker in 1963; a great grandson Ryan Dekker in 1997; four sisters: Mable Spencer in 1988, Rose Padgett in 1992, Rubey Baker in 2005, and Margaret Robertson in 2006. Surviving are five sons and two daughters: Ernest Baker of Calimesa, CA, DeWayne (Sandy) Baker of Lapeer, Dorothy Lhamon of Mattawan, Bernyece Andrade of Saint Petersburg, FL, LaVern Baker of Springdale, AR, Kenneth Baker of Bakersfield, CA, and Keith (Sheila) Baker of Gobles, 20 grandchildren 32 great grandchildren and 20 great-great grandchildren and several step grand and great grandchildren; five siblings: John (Peggy) McLain of Traverse City, Rachel Ellsworth of Sanford, FL, Raymond (Jannis McLain of Portage, Berthia Wright of Plainwell and Helen (Edward) Stinson of Grand Rapids and many nieces and nephews. Learn more about Ettie, view her life story film, and visit with her family and friends on Friday from 4:00 ? 8:00 PM at the LIFE STORY FUNERAL HOME, Betzler & Thompson, Paw Paw, 657-3870 where services will be held Saturday at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place in West Oshtemo Cemetery.

Philo married Lavenia Louise Lee on 7 Apr 1900 in Oshtemo Township, Michigan, USA. Lavenia (daughter of Richard Thomas Lee and Lucy Ann Pennock) was born on 18 Aug 1880 in Oshtemo Township, Michigan, USA; died on 29 Aug 1956 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA; was buried in West Oshtemo Cemetery, Oshtemo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Pearl married Maudie Ann Harper. Maudie was born on 16 May 1891 in Kalkaska County, Michigan; died on 30 May 1943 in Huntington, Indiana, USA; was buried in Lancaster Cemetery, Lancaster, Huntington County, Indiana, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Lucy Ann Pennock on 19 Nov 1878 in Richland, Michigan, USA. Lucy (daughter of Peter William Pennock and Mary Jane Tobey) was born on 12 Nov 1857 in Hope Township, Michigan, USA; died on 26 Jun 1941 in Oshtemo Township, Michigan, USA; was buried in West Oshtemo Cemetery, Oshtemo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]