Mrs. Bettye Baker

BAKER, BETTYE SPEED age 81, lifelong resident of Birmingham, passed away Wednesday, August 4, 2010. Mrs. Baker was a 1948 graduate of Woodlawn High School. After graduation, she began a career with Delta Airlines. There, she met a handsome young Eastern Airlines employee, Forrest Baker, who quickly make her his wife. Shortly thereafter, they began a family and her focus shifted from career to nurturing and raising 2 daughters, Cynthia and Kellye. Several years later, she returned to the working world and gained employment with a new upstart in the travel world, All Seasons Travel Agency. This small agency grew quickly into a trendsetting, successful business via hard work, dedication, and customer service above and beyond. Bettye managed the agency's satellite office in the Birmingham Airport, The Entree Club, and blissfully served until retirement in August, 1993. Shortly after retirement, she lost her husband, Forrest, her vision to Macular Degeneration, but still enjoyed outings and dinners with all her Delta, Eastern, and All Seasons friends. Even after she was rendered bedridden following spinal surgery in 2006, her spirit, wit, and tenacity prevailed. As her strength waned and the pain grew, the Lord blessed her by calling her back home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Annie Maude and Elton Speed; daughter, Cynthia M. Baker; husband, Forrest Baker; and brother, James A. Speed. She is survived by her daughter, Kellye Baker; 2 granddaughters, Kayla and Tara Box; niece, Dottie Schmidt and family; nephew, Wesley Speed and family; and countess friends. Her family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 from 12-1:30 PM at Ridout's Trussville Chapel. There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 beginning at 2 PM at Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, The Salvation Army, State of Alabama Youth Homes, the local Humane Society, or your favorite charity.