John F. Baker

(October 6, 1924 to August 21, 2023)

John Fletcher Baker, 98, of Clinton, Mississippi, died on Monday, August 21, 2023, in Clinton, Mississippi. John was born in Jena, Louisiana to William Moses Baker and Bertha (Hunt) Baker. After graduating from Jena High School, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II and The Korean Conflict; however, he was not deployed overseas. After service to his country, John obtained a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from Louisiana Tech University. He was a company man who spent his entire Forestry career with the International Paper Company. During the course of his career he lived in several locations throughout south Alabama and Mississippi. It was while living in York, Alabama that he met the love of his life and future wife, Claudia Elizabeth Pearson. They married in 1956 and together made their home in Atmore, Alabama, before moving to Wiggins, Hattiesburg and Natchez, Mississippi, and finally choosing Clinton as their place of retirement. John was a faithful member of his beloved First United Methodist Church, Clinton and the Fellowship Class.

He is survived by his daughter, Nena Elizabeth Baker of Jackson, Mississippi; son, Daniel Morgan Baker, Sr. (Kathy) of Jackson; and grandchildren, Daniel Morgan Baker, Jr., Katherine Elizabeth Baker, Olivia Anne Baker and Eleanor Jane Baker. He is also survived by a number of nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces on both the Baker and Pearson sides of the family. He is also survived by his loving neighbors and friends for over 30 years, William, Amy, and Carson Kittrell, who have become as close as family. Without the Kittrell’s friendship and devotion, John could not have lived by himself for a number of years.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Claudia (Pearson) Baker, his parents William Moses Baker and Bertha (Hunt) Baker, his brother William Morgan Baker, Sr., his sisters Nena (Baker) Barnwell, Olivia (Baker) Rogers, and Jane Baker.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a Funeral Service following at 2:00 p.m. at First Methodist Church, Clinton, MS. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Methodist Church, 100 Mt. Salus Road, Clinton, MS 39056.