Barbara (Sis) Louise Baird Baker was born Jan. 31, 1927 in Rogers, Ark., to Harold (Tillie) C. and Kellie M (Jensen) Baird; and died on May 6, 2010 in Mount Vernon.

On July 8, 1944, in Fayetteville, Ark., she was married to Wesley H. Baker. They spent nearly 40 years as pastor/teachers for the Seventh-day Adventists in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, West Virginia, Connecticut, Nebraska, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Arkansas.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers, Richard Baird and J.S. Baird, her son Michael L. Baker, and three grandsons.

She is survived by her son, Clayton D. Baker of Rogers, Ark.; daughter Pamela K. Baker of Elk Grove, Calif.; daughter NaLona J. and husband John Brato of Pensacola, Fla.; her brother Harold D. and June Baird of Marysville, Wash.; two sister-in-laws, Wanda Baird of Mt. View, Ark., and Julia Baird of Fayetteville, Ark.; daughter-in-laws, Terry (John) King of Mechanicsburg, Penn., Cheryl Baker of Logan, Iowa, and Penny (Jack) Martin of Mesquite, Texas; 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren living in Connecticut, Florida, Arkansas, Texas, California, Washington, Iowa and Qatar; and many other family and friends.

A family gathering and memorial service will be held at the Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville, Ark., on July 8, 2011.

Barbara loved reading and the joy of teaching young children how to read. If you would like to honor her, we, the family, request a book be donated to your local grade school in her name. Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, Wash.