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Obituaries
Phyllis Ann McKinnon Baker
Phyllis Ann McKinnon Baker of Newport News has died at age 97.
She was born March 2, 1927, in Charlotte, NC, to parents William Everett McKinnon, Sr. and Mattie Griffin McKinnon. Phyllis graduated from Charlotte Technical High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and attended Mars Hill College. She met Raleigh O. Baker at church in Charlotte, and they began dating while they were students at Mars Hill. They married in 1948. They were avid travelers and led tours to Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, England, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Italy. Phyllis took cruises to Nova Scotia and Alaska.
The Bakers lived in Charlotte, NC; Fort Worth, TX; Cramerton, NC; Norfolk, VA; Culpeper, VA; and Newport News, VA. They had two children: Jeannie Lynn Baker and the late William Raleigh Baker. Phyllis is preceded in death by five brothers: Griffin, David, William, Joseph, and Frank. She is survived by daughter Lynn Baker, son-in-law Kenneth Campbell, granddaughter Elizabeth Baker, and many nieces and nephews.
After earlier jobs as a telephone book deliverer, secretary at Kaske Paper, and secretary-treasurer at A.B. Morgan Fixture Co., Phyllis retired from a 17-year career at the U.S. Federal Reserve. In recent years, she volunteered for the AARP Foundation Tax-Aid program and at Riverside Hospital. She enjoyed her daily sudoku and crossword puzzles and believed strongly in always having a balanced checkbook.
The family will receive friends at Peninsula Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 30, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A graveside gathering at Peninsula Memorial Park will be held on Wednesday, May 1, at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to LINK of Hampton Roads. https://www.givelocal757.org/organizations/link-of-hampton-roads-inc
6 Comments
My condolences to Lynn and the Baker family my prayers and thoughts are with you. I’m truly going to miss Ms. Baker the talks we share her warm smile gone but never forgotten. I was Ms. Baker housekeeper Laura at the cheapeake I just love Ms. Baker.
My heartfelt condolences to Lynn, Ken and the McKinnon and Baker families. Phyllis has been one of my dearest friends for over sixty years. We have shared many life experiences, both happy, fun filled and sad. I will miss her so much but will always treasure the memories. Phyllis and R.O. were wonderful role models for my husband and me.
Our heartfelt sympathy to the family of Phyllis Baker. We have known Phyllis since 1996 when she and her husband came to Calvary Baptist Church and he served as Interim pastor. Phyllis was a dear friend and we cared for her very much. We recently moved to The Chesapeake and were able to spend time with her in the last few months. We will truly miss her.
Our heartfelt sympathy to the family. We have known Phyllis since she and her husband came to Calvary Baptist Church as interim pastor. Phyllis was a wonderful woman to know and talk with. She always made me feel good saying how she liked my hugs. She will be greatly missed.
Phyllis Baker was a beautiful Christian lady. I thoroughly enjoyed having lunch with her on Fridays and Sundays. I admired her greatly and am glad she was my friend. With deepest sympathy to her family.
Lynn, please know that our hearts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.