Mrs. Mary Ruth Bilbra Baker

Mary Ruth, devoted to her family and church, was born April 1, 1921, to the late John and Edith Bilbra. She was a longtime employee of Gateway Books, managing stores at Eastgate Mall, downtown Chattanooga and Highland Plaza, and then later retired from Carousal Clothing.

Mrs. Baker was preceded in death by Edward Baker, her husband of 65 years; and sisters Katherine Kilgore, Helen McGill, Betty Williams and Christine Flegal.

Survivors include three children, Lynda (Butch) Roberts, Judy (Bill) Manning and Eddie (Cindy) Baker, all of Chattanooga; three grandsons, Tim (Sherri) Zink, Rodney Zink and Brad (Meredith) Baker; four granddaughters, Cheryl (John) White, Jennifer (Chris) Adams, Staci Zink, and Brittany (James) Palmer; 14 great-grandchildren; one sister, Peggy Derryberry of Ringgold; and one brother, John Bilbra of Knoxville.

Mrs. Baker was a member of the Chattanooga First Church of the Nazarene, teaching Sunday School classes, singing in the choir and serving on the church board during her many years of faithful service.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 1:00-8:00 p.m. at the Chattanooga Funeral Home-East Chapel and 10:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesday. The funeral service will be Tuesday at 12 p.m. at the chapel with Rev. John R. Andrus and Rev. Eric Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Chattanooga First Church of the Nazarene, 5455 North Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37411.