Jack Ray Baker

Jack Ray Baker, 77, of Candler, went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, June 1, 2005, following an extended illness. His family was at his side when the angels took him home. Mr. Baker was born in Leicester on February 28, 1928, to the late J.W. and Novie Sharpe Baker. He was the youngest of twelve children, all of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Gary Worley, who died in 2004. He retired from American Enka in 1990 after 40 years of service and enjoyed NASCAR racing and gardening. But most of all, he loved spending time with his family and his church family at Glady Missionary Baptist Church, of which he was a member. A wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Christine Johnson Baker; three daughters, Gail McCarson and her husband Denny, Karen Worley and Sharon McMinn and her husband David, all of Candler; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and a great-grandson due in October. Funeral services will be 3:00 pm Saturday at Glady Missionary Baptist Church with the Reverend Charles Sprinkle officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7:00-8:30 pm Friday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue. Daddy, that final checkered flag has dropped. God said your race on earth is done. It is time for you to go to heaven and claim your reward. We find comfort in knowing that you are at God’s side now with no pain and suffering and that one day we will all be together again. Just like one of your favorite songs says, “I’m a winner either way, if I go or if I stay, for I will still have my Jesus each passing day. I’ll have my healing here below or life forever if I go, oh praise the Lord, I’m a winner either way.” We all so much wanted you to stay but God said it was time for you to go. Until that joyous day when we are all reunited in our heavenly home, we will love you so very much and miss you always.