Annie Mildred Holmes-Baker

Annie Mildred Holmes entered this life in Weir, Mississippi, on Friday, February 15, 1924. She became the second of ten children born to Money Holmes and Ella Lee Childress-Holmes. Annie Mildred attended schools in Choctaw County Mississippi. During her 17 years in Mississippi, she became a faithful member of the Methodist Church.

In 1941, at the age of 17, she moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Next, she began working in an exclusive dress factory in Cleveland. During her employment, she met two Seventh-day Adventist women who invited her to a Tent Meeting being conducted by Elder J. H. Lawrence. On Sabbath, September 25, 1943, Annie Mildred became a baptized member of the Cedar Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1945, while attending Cedar Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church, she met a United States Army Veteran named Raymond Richard Baker, Sr. On June 11, 1950, Elder J. H. Lawrence legally joined the two in marriage. Raymond and Annie Mildred honeymooned in Niagara Falls. Annie Mildred remembers being fascinated by the power of the waters which cascaded over the Maid of the Midst.

In May 1955, Annie Mildred arrived in Portland, Oregon, with her two sons, Raymond Richard Baker, Jr., and Harold Timothy Baker. The family became members of the Sharon Seventh-day Adventist Church in Portland, in May 1955. Carl Anthony Baker joined the brotherhood on November 16, 1962.

As time passed in the City of Roses, Annie Mildred served as a Self-Employed Domestic Engineer with an Exclusive Clientele. As part of her employment, she did catering services for engineers, judges, physicians, and attorneys. All of these living souls remember her smile.

As a member of the Sharon Seventh-day Adventist Church, she regularly opened her home to both old friends and new to fellowship over Sabbath lunch. Her dishes reflected “God is love”. Many remember the grape juice, the green beans and shell beans, the corn, the okra and tomato and the home made rolls to mention a sampling. Someone once commented her cinnamon rolls were good enough to make a bull dog hug a hound.

Some will remember the dresses she made to wear to church. Others will remember her hats and minks. Still others will remember her enthusiastic children’s stories.

Annie Mildred enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening and watching the Portland Trailblazers. From 1997 until 2005, she experienced her traveling years. She traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, Alaska and the Caribbean. She enjoyed cruising with family and friends aboard vessels such as Celebrity Mercury, Grand Princess and Disney Wonder. She traveled with Jaunita Woods-Barnes and Japhena and Alex Hall to Vancouver, and Victoria, British Columbia, aboard Royal Caribbean International’s magnificent Radiance of the Seas.

On Thursday, November 24, 2005, Annie Mildred entered Marquis Care at Mt. Tabor where she experienced the joy of being crowned Resident Queen in 2008. During the Mt. Tabor years, she enjoyed being involved in the various activities of the Nursing Facility. These years became the years of stepping out in hats, suits, and shoes from New York City.

On Sabbath, February 15, 2014, Annie Mildred celebrated her 90th Birthday at Providence Medical Center. Over 50 guest packed the hallway and Room 2R03 including her brother, Roy Holmes, her niece, Livesteen Carter, her nephew, Terry Holmes and her cousin, Laurel Darling. The room was filled with laughter, love and performances by 300 Watts and the Goodwin family.

At the end of the Sabbath, March 15, 2014, Annie Mildred “Passed away from earth forever, Free from all its cares and fears, She again will join us never, While we tread this vale of tears.” Her parents Money and Ella Lee are at rest. Her brothers St. Clair, Money, Jr., Jasper, Garvis, and Willie are at rest. Her sisters Bonnie, Jerelyne, and Venada are at rest. Her grandson Derrick is at rest. Her great grandson Zavion is at rest. She leaves behind her brother Roy. She leaves behind three sons Raymond, Tim, and Carl. She leaves behind three granddaughters Monica, Brittany, and Raven. She leaves behind four great grandchildren Tatianna, Tre Sean, Suntori and Mariah.