Freda Aldene Baker was born September 9, 1926 and passed to her heavenly home May 1, 2019. Freda was the second child of Lloyd Austin and Carrie B. Williams Fletchall. She grew up on a farm northeast of Grant City, Missouri. Freda’s elementary school years were spent at Jones East School. The family moved to Grant City where she graduated from Grant City High School.
Freda met Otis Ray Baker of Allendale, Missouri. Ray was in the Army during World War 11. While on leave, the couple married on January 12, 1946 in Troy, Kansas.
Upon Ray’s military discharge, the couple returned to Grant City. As they drove home they came upon the devastation of the tornado that hit Worth, Missouri. They feared this kind of destruction and loss of family in Grant City but found all well. The young couple settled in a home two miles east of Grant City. It was at this home their first child, Judy, was born. Freda had a very difficult delivery and Ray vowed the rest of their children would be born in a hospital.
Freda settled into being a homemaker, wife and mother. She was a wonderful mother to six children: Judy, Joyce, Jack, Janet, Jeanne and Julia. In addition to her children, Freda loved and nurtured the next four generations of her family. She treated her in-law children like she did her children, with love and respect.
Freda was thankful to have her parents, brother and sister close by. She helped care for her parents until their passing.
Ray and Freda were active members of the Grant City Assembly of God Church. Freda loved God’s word and read her bible daily. There was always an open Bible by her chair or on the dining room table. She was also a fervent prayer warrior.
The Baker’s raised huge gardens, chickens, cattle, sheep and hogs. Freda often butchered 100 chickens yearly in addition to canning vegetables and fruits and milking cows. She could whip up a meal to feed a crowd in nothing flat. She made delicious homemade butter to spread on homemade bread. Many of the family’s favorites were homemade ice cream with angel food cake and homemade noodles. A favorite memory of the grandchildren was the special flour bin that held individual boxes of sugar coated cereal, barbeque potato chips and vanilla wafers.
Freda loved to play cards, especially 10 point pitch and pinochle. She never passed up a domino game either. If her opponents were talking a lot she would say, “Are we here to play cards or visit”. She was a fierce competitor. She enjoyed playing outdoor games with her family. Freda was creative with a crochet needle and thread. She was very witty and had a unique sense of humor. Her love for fishing came early, being taught by her parents. No one could cast a cane pole like Freda! There was always a jigsaw puzzle out and no family member could resist sitting with her for long periods of time trying to find a piece.
She loved to take Sunday car rides with Ray and the children. She wasn’t well traveled but enjoyed visiting her daughter Janet, in Arizona and Idaho. She was always up for a ride, no matter the distance. One grandson recalled how slow Grandma drove the green Pinto. She and Ray, almost daily, took a car ride with their dogs, Muffin and Pepper.
Freda worked at the Sale Barn Café, GC Cap Factory and babysat in her home. Her favorite job was working for her brother as secretary at F&M Floor Covering.
After Ray’s passing in 2009, Freda remained in their home east of Grant City. Their last home was a mile from their first home. They were married 63 ½ years. One month before her 90th birthday, Freda moved to Worth County Care and Rehab, where she received love, care and respect.
Preceding her in death are husband, Ray; daughter, Joyce Brown; and her parents Lloyd and Carrie Fletchall.
Left to cherish her memory are children: Judy and Roy Claypool, Jack and Nancy Baker, Janet and Donald Brown, Jeanne Cavin and Russell McPike, Julia and Dennis Cavin and son-in-law Richard Brown: 17 grandchildren and 11 spouses, 30 great-grandchildren and 4 spouses; and 8 great-great grandchildren; sister Leona Davidson and brother Harold Fletchall; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial gifts may be given to Worth County Care and Rehab. Visitation will be held at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City, Missouri on Sunday, May 5, 2019 from 2:00-4:00 P.M. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, May 6, 2019 at the funeral home. Pastor Jeff Blaine will officiate. Burial will be in the Grant City Cemetery.
No comments:
Post a Comment