The Shreveport Times

Obituaries

Monday, May 19, 2008

Milton M. Baker

Prude Cemetery

SHREVEPORT, LA- Funeral services for Milton M. Baker will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 10 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield with Rev. Joe Waggoner of the First Baptist Church of Mansfield and Father Guy Mackey of Christ Memorial Episcopal Church of Mansfield officiating. Graveside services will follow at the Prude Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

Mr. Baker passed away on Saturday, May 17 after a lengthy illness, one month before his ninetieth birthday. He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Baker; mother, Iva Stribling Baker; and one sister, Beunita O. Baker.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 68 years, Delta Strong Baker; son, Stephen S. Baker and wife Sue of Mansfield; son, Robert P. Baker and wife Jane of Metairie; daughter, Rebecca B. Conlegy and husband Ronald of Mansfield; sister, Iva Nell Hilburn of Shreveport; five grandchildren, Ashley Holmes, Jonas Baker, Leslie Slay, Erin Baker and Sarah Patterson; six great-grandchildren; and a host of nephews, in-laws, friends and caregivers.

He attended the New Bethany Church where he served as an elder. He was a member of the DeSoto Parish Fire Protection District #5 volunteer fire department, serving as chairman for 21 years.

Mr. Baker was born in DeSoto Parish in the Stribling House which was built in 1852 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. He resided in the family home his entire life. He was a strong believer in home, family and community, and, like his forefathers, set down strong roots on the land he loved. The work he did as a rancher, farmer, antique dealer and land and mineral manager kept him near the people and environment he cherished.

He was an encyclopedia of information about the people and land in the community. He sought to protect the land and people in the community from exploitations and misuse in the same way he protected his family. Innumerable residents in the area, rich and poor, black and white, male and female, often sought his counsel in making decisions about what to do with their property, and his guidance was always given graciously and for free. He gave away his advice as freely as he gave away the produce from his abundant gardens. Everyone knew he was an honorable man who was fair and honest.

The family is grateful to Nell Norwood, Rachel Sullivan, Tiffany Norwood, Diane Davis, Sue Rigsby and Elaine Whitten for their care and compassion during his illness. We also appreciate the care provided by his physicians, Drs. Leggio, Baucum and Borne.

Pallbearers will be Jonas Baker, James Grice, Jere Hilburn, Charlson Holmes, Calvin Murray, Kipley Patterson, Brandon Slay and Paul Walker. Members of the DeSoto Parish Fire Protection District #5 volunteer fire department will serve as honorary pallbearers. Rose-Neath Mansfield, 872-4660