Bessie L. 'Betty' Baker, 83

LAUREL - Bessie L. "Betty" Baker of Laurel passed away at her home on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, surrounded by her loving family. She was 83.

Mrs. Baker was born in Philadelphia, daughter of the late Roland and Bessie (McCullough) McGinnes.

She and her husband, Sylvanus "Bud" Baker, were the former owners of Briarwood Estates in Laurel, and after retirement opened the Classic Toy Box in Lewes.

Mrs. Baker was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Millsboro.

She loved to travel, play bingo, collect dolls and hummingbirds. She also enjoyed walks by the sea and the beach.

Mrs. Baker will be remembered by her family as a loving mother and wife.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Rogers, who passed at 5 years of age; and her sisters, Gertrude Sparks, Margaret Crist, Anna Dolly Timmons, Dorothy Patellis, Ruth Rust and Eleanor Surguy.

Mrs. Baker is survived by the love of her life of 61 years, Sylvanus "Bud" Baker Jr. of Laurel; her son, Sylvanus "Van" Baker III of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Christopher Nee of St. Petersburg, whom she considered a son; a brother, Ronald "Ray" McGinnes and his wife Pat of Delmar; her loving and caring nieces and nephews, Pat and Gibby Adkins, Robert and Judy McGinnes, Pat and Charles Brewington and Connie Pusey; and her caregiver, Kelly Diaz.

A funeral service will be 2 p.m. Sunday in Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, 700 West St., Laurel, where friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today.

The Rev. Ralph Fraser will officiate.

Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Laurel.

Donations may be made to Bridgeville United Methodist Church, 2 N. Laws St., Bridgeville; or the Bridgeville Kiwanis Club, 2667 Seashore Highway, Greenwood, DE.

Arrangements by Fleischauer Funeral Home, Greenwood.