Laverlin “B” Ramsey Baker, age 88, passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at NMMC Inpatient Hospice Care, surrounded by family. She was born June 9, 1929 to Louis Monroe and Mary Etta Hardin Ramsey. She was a graduate of Pontotoc High School and attended a private business school in Tupelo. After working at the Pontotoc County Co-Op for many years, she began a long and distinguished career at Pontotoc High School, retiring in 2007 at the ripe young age of 78. During her 34 years at PHS, she mentored hundreds of students, with many later sharing humorous and touching stories of how Ms. “B” always ruled fairly, and with a sweet demeanor. She was an avid sports enthusiast. She and her husband, Francis, could be found at every PHS home sporting event, and her love of sports also included college and pro, with the TV usually tuned to a game of football, basketball, golf, bowling, or tennis. She was an MSU Bulldog at heart, but a big fan of Ole Miss as well, following the Manning brothers into their pro careers. She also loved to bowl, work crossword puzzles, watch Wheel of Fortune and play dominos at the senior center! An animal lover, she and Francis owned two Pomeranians, Coco and Jojo. They were often seen in their mid-years walking the “pups” along Main Street. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Pontotoc, and loved her Sunday School Class. She also enjoyed working in the yard, tending her flowers, and playing the piano, filling the house with music on a regular basis. Visits with her grandkids and great-grandkids also brought her great delight. Soon after her retirement, her husband was stricken with major health issues, and “Sweet Pea”, as he affectionately called her, became his full-time caregiver for many years.
Services were held on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Pontotoc. Rev. Kenneth Corley, Rev. Beth Miller and Bro. Marcus Coward officiated. Burial was in Pontotoc City Cemetery. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include her son, Trent Baker (Connye); two daughters, Tammye Herring (Clyde) and Tina Smith (Ray); four grandchildren, Tracye Crane (Seth),
Morgan Veth (Andrew), Christopher Herring (Danley), and Jordan Herring; five great-grandchildren, Joshua Crane, Anna Reid Crane, Charlotte Veth, Eleanor Veth and Cari Madsen; and brother, Louis H. Ramsey.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Irvin Francis Baker; parents; her brother, Monroe (Bogue) Ramsey; and five sisters, Nona Ramsey, Callie Tucker, Earline Guymon, Onice Privette, and Laverne Fiveash.
Pallbearers were Joe Bryant, Sam Dowdy, Jon Ginn, Dr. Charles Harrison, Michael Horton, Joe Johnson, and Gene Ward. Honorary Pallbearers were Jerry Bost, Charlie Butts, Johnny Campbell, Thomas Chewe, Gene Clement, Conwell Duke, Bert Jackson, Carroll Kyle, Carl Lowry, and Jimmy Wallace.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pontotoc First United Methodist Church, 68 South Main Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863, or to the charity of your choice.
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