Elma Baker

Elma T. Baker was a generous, caring woman who loved flowers, picnics, and the oysters at Red Lobster. For Elma, family always came first; she was proud of being a devoted wife and mother. Throughout her life, Elma took great joy in being surrounded by her family, be it during get-togethers, picnics, or just day-to-day life.

Elma was born on August 15, 1915, in Strunk, Kentucky – the same year that Zsa Zsa Gabor, Dizzy Gillespie, and Desi Arnaz came into the world. Elma, however, was destined to make her mark on the hearts of her cherished family and friends rather than on America’s stage. She was raised in the sleepy Southern mining town of Oneida, Tennessee by her loving parents, Ora and Frona. To support his family of seven (Elma was the oldest child), Ora ran the local commissary for the mining company. Elma started grade school in Oneida, Tennessee, later moving to Michigan. One of Elma’s fondest childhood memories was of family picnics, despite one picnic where she came close to drowning! Like many families, they were hit by the depression of the 1930’s, and Elma was forced to move back to Tennessee. She lived with her grandparents and her Aunt Faye, who became like a sister to her. In 1933, Elma graduated from high school in Oneida at the age of seventeen.

Soon after her high school graduation, Elma moved back to Michigan. Through her brother, she deepened her friendship with an old acquaintance – Frank Baker, who had shared a classroom with her in grade school. The friendship slowly grew into a romance, and the couple was married in 1937 in Ferndale, Michigan. Elma and Frank both enjoyed socializing, often going to card parties at friends’ houses. Soon after the marriage, Elma joined the workforce of the Ford Motor Company, performing many different jobs throughout her thirty year career. To relax, Elma enjoyed reading romance novels, mystery stories, biographies, and lots of cookbooks. She also collected bells, amassing over two hundred throughout her life.

Her true calling, however, and her biggest job, was raising three beautiful children: Frank, Sandra Louise, and James. Elma felt that in addition to her wedding, the births of her children were the greatest days of her life. Elma was very family-oriented: her husband and children always came first. She was also a wonderful cook, famous for her Southern-style food. Especially after having children, she loved arranging big get-togethers. Elma liked doing activities as a family, such as watching her family fish, boat, and swim. For this reason, the Baker family traveled to their cottage in Lindon Township every weekend in the summer for many years. Just as she had in her childhood, Elma particularly enjoyed going on picnics in parks throughout Michigan. In fact, Elma and Frank never went on vacations without their children. Elma’s daughter Sandra’s favorite memory is of the trips up north to Sault Ste. Marie. Her kids do remember that Elma had quite a temper – she would never wait until Frank got home to enforce discipline! During World War II, Elma became a dedicated “Rosie the Riveter,” working on planes for the military. Elma was also a member of Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Golden Girls Group. The Golden Girls, of which she was a member for seventeen years, were a group of women who met once a month to make banners and enjoyed potluck luncheons.

In 1987, the family threw Elma and Frank a big 50th year wedding anniversary celebration. Even though Elma had kidney stones at the time, she told her doctor that she had a party to go to. When he found out it was her Golden Anniversary, he gave her a quick fix and told her to have fun! A few years later, Elma was delighted to come home to a surprise 80th birthday party, organized by her children. As she grew older, Elma still loved seeing her family, but big crowds made her nervous, so they came in shifts to visit. Her son James remembers how Elma’s face would “light up” when she saw family members walk through the door.

Elma T. Baker died on February 21, 2004. Her family includes her children, Sandra L. Baker and James E. Baker; her grandchildren, David (Faye) Larenzo, James F. (Pam) Baker, Michael Pohlman, Janet (Jason) Brewer and Paula (Bert) Broesamle; her great-grandchildren, Rachael, Natalie, Jessica, Craig, Randy Michael, Justin, Daniel James, Cody, Christian, Cadel and Calon; her sisters, Clara Faye Ryan and Frona Adreeda Larson; her aunt Faye Love; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank J. Baker, and her son, Frank R. Baker and daughter-in-law Cecelia Baker.

Friends may join the family for visitation from 4-9 p.m. on Monday, and from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday. The funeral service will take place in the McCabe Funeral Home Canton Chapel, 851 Canton Center Road, Canton, Michigan, on Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Roseland Park Cemetery. To read Elma’s life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Arbor Hospice or Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, please visit her personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com.

Elma will be lovingly remembered for her kind and generous nature, as well as her deep commitment to her family.