Obituary of Andrew Jackson Baker

Services for Andrew Jackson ‘Slim’ Baker, 78, Arp, will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, at Arp Emmanuel Baptist Church, Arp with Reverend Doctor Ron Klingsick officiating. Burial will be in Mason Cemetery. Arrangements are under direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton. Slim passed away, Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler. He was born January 24, 1938 in Henderson County to the late Willie Jackson and Lillie Rose Giles Baker. He moved to Arp in 1952 from Corsicana, graduated Arp High School in 1957 and married the love of his life, LaVone Armstrong August 20, 1962 in Arp. He served in the US Army and retired from East Texas Salt Water Disposal Company after 35 years. Slim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, brother and brother-in-law. He was a true dedicated family man and was very loving and supportive. He loved people and never met a stranger. Slim was a diehard Arp Tiger and loved his Cleveland Indians, the Browns and the SMU Mustangs. Slim was a longtime member of the Arp Emmanuel Baptist Church and he truly loved God. Besides his parents, Slim was preceded in death by six brothers, his twin, John Giles Baker, Willie Monroe Baker, Robert George Baker, Jesse Owen Baker, Marion Conard Baker, RC Baker and a sister, Frances Wilcox. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, LaVone Baker, Arp; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Anthony and Melissa Baker, Dallas, and Gregory Baker, Arp; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathy D. and Jeffery MacMillan, Arp; two grandchildren and their spouses, Drew and Megan Bennett, Tatum, and Kelley and James Elam, Tyler; a great granddaughter, Kensie Leigh Elam, Tyler and numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. Pallbearers will be John Stapelton, George White, James Shorty Jordan, Tim Pierson, Scott Annis, and Terry Cook. Honorary pallbearers will be the retiree’s of the East Texas Salt Water Disposal Company. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Tuesday, February 9 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler Texas 75701 or Arp Emmanuel Baptist Church, P.O. Box 87, Arp, Texas 75750. Online registration and condolences are available at www.cottlefuneralhome.com.