Jerlene C. Baker

Jerlene C. Baker was born January 16, 1944 in Blackton, Arkansas to the late Irene Cole (Leonard) Holland and Alen Alexander. She was summons to the Pearly Gates to meet the Lord and the loved ones who left this earth before her on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas with family close by.

Sister Jerlene Baker was a member of Allen Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Stuttgart, Arkansas, where she served for years under the leadership of Reverend G.H. Wade and current Pastor Gilbert Byrd, Jr.  

Jerlene’s favorite pastimes were cooking, playing bingo, watching the Razorbacks and Dallas Cowboys, as well as talking on the phone with family and friends. She also enjoyed listening to and cheering on the Ricebirds. She was well known by Duck Hunters across the nation for her cooking at Harold Ives Duck Club. Her friend Bill of Atlanta, Georgia mentioned how good the last batch of cookies he had received, when he was informed that she was in the hospital; he was so looking forward to her cooking on his trip this duck season. Being a good cook spoiled her as it was hard for others’ food to measure up to her standards, and she made that real clear during her tenure in the hospital.

Jerlene was preceded in death by her brother William Alexander, sisters Harriett Pickett and Alma Carter, a nephew Cleodis Pickett, and a niece Emma Pickett.

Jerlene leaves behind fond memories of her sons Kelvin (Darwoner) Baker of Desoto, Texas and Carlos (Gay) Baker of Mansfield, Texas. She was extremely happy and proud of her grands and great grandchildren. She left this world with wonderful thoughts and memories, as she had the opportunity to speak with and/or video chat with them all: grandson Kelvin Jay (J’oni) Baker of Desoto, Texas; granddaughters Marita Baker of Stuttgart, Arkansas, Meriecha (Marquis) Gaines of Yukon, Oklahoma, Morgan Hackney of Dallas, Texas, and Averi Baker of Mansfield, Texas; great grandchildren Traveontay Jones of Stuttgart, Arkansas, Ethan Brown of Dallas, Texas, Javon Baker, Serenity Baker, Aleena Gaines, Khloe Murphy, Kobe Baker, and Kanye Baker, all of Desoto, Texas.

She leaves behind great memories of her with sister Leola Cunningham of Richmond, Ohio; sister-in-law Julia Alexander of Bolingbrook, IL; nephews Anthony (Kandy) Pickett of Arlington, Texas, Ray (Marrietta) Pickett of Lewisville, Texas, Keith Pickett of Stuttgart, Arkansas, Stanley Gilbert and Steve Gilbert, both of Cleveland, Ohio; nieces Betty Chambers of Arlington, Texas, Shirley Pickett of Detroit, Michigan, Barbara (Wilbert) Owens of Roe, Arkansas, Janice Pickett Wofford of Stuttgart, Arkansas, Sharon Gilbert of Cleveland, Ohio, Marva Gilbert of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Marilyn Cunningham of Euclid, Ohio.

Finally, she leaves behind true and remarkable close friends Rodger aka “RD” Robinson, Margaret Rice, Lois Stigger, Rae Evelyn Hobbs, Jeffene aka “Tiny” Roddy, Eleanor Johnson, Bertha Cain, Betty Elliott, Dean Ashbrook, and Kim Weatherly.

Jerlene, family and friends will deeply miss you as you touched the hearts and lives of numerous people during your glorious walk on this earth. Rest in peace Jerlene as God is waiting at the Pearly Gates to say, “Well Done My Faithful Servant.” “You Can Come On In!”

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