Buford Lester Baker

Buford Lester Baker, age 89, of Cleveland, passed away Friday, February 1, 2019.

Mr. Baker was born on May 12, 1929 to the late Lester and Myrtle Edwards Baker.  Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Louise Cantrell Baker; granddaughter, Betty London Fortner; brothers, Frank Baker, James Baker, and Corbett Baker; sisters, Ruth Hopkins, Lula Belle Moss, and Ellen Gunnells; and sister in law, Lureta Loftis.

Born and raised in White County, Buford was a graduate of Nacoochee High School.  He retired from Ames Textile in Cleveland, was the owner of Baker Vending Service, and operated a poultry farm.

He was a member of Crescent Hill Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for 71 years and taught the Adult Sunday School class for almost fifty consecutive years.  Buford loved the Lord, his family and his church and spent his life in service to all three.

Two of his most favorite passions were spending time in God’s Word and spending time in his vegetable garden.  He enriched the lives of his family by sharing from each of them.  His favorite times of the year were the holidays when the entire family gathered together under his roof for fellowship.  Buford worked hard throughout his life but the true fruit of his labor was family.

Survivors include wife, Roberta Stockton Baker; daughter and son-in-law, Eloise Baker and Ronnie London; sons and daughters-in-law, Garrison and Susan Baker, and Rev. William and Sharron Baker; grandchildren, Will Baker, Melody Chambers, Amanda Hall, Joe Baker, Cody Baker, and William London; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Holloman, Allison Fortner, Rebecca Manley, Anna Baker, Megan Baker, Chloe Baker, Paul Chambers, Joshua Chambers, Isaac Hall, Claire Hall, Luke Baker, Jack Baker, Haley Baker, Hudson Baker, Layli Kate Baker, and Lucy Baker; and great-great grandson, Jackson Holloman; sister, Fannie Mae Baker; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Baker, Marybelle Benfield, Rachel Cantrell, Dorothy Underwood, Wynona Nelson, and Ruth Gibson.

Funeral services are scheduled for 3 P.M. Sunday, February 3, 2019 at Crescent Hill Baptist Church.  The Rev. Phillip Robinson, Rev. Lewis Fortner, and Rev. Chris Blocker will officiate.  Interment will follow in Gateway Memory Park.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gideon’s International: White County Camp, PO Box 946, Cleveland, GA 30528.

To share a memory or leave a condolence with the family, visit barrettfh.com.

Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland.