Oliver C. Baker
Oliver C. Baker transitioned from his earthly body on December 29, 2024, after a short illness, surrounded by family and friends. He was 80.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Minnie A. Baker; son, Paul Cedric Baker; brothers, Richard Alexander and Michael Mitchell; sister, Mildred M. Brown, brother-in-law Greg Jones; nephews, Charles Russell Jr., and Carl Anderson; his niece, Angela Alexander.
Oliver was born and raised in Chattanooga, and attended Howard High School. He left school and joined the U.S. Army. Following retirement from the military as a sergeant, Oliver became a certified truck driver for The Kroger Company in Memphis, where he later retired.
Oliver loved grilling and having the family over to eat. He was often found in his office listening to his favorite music such as old school, jazz, and gospel. Oliver was a faithful member of the World’s Church of the Living God and was an active participant of the WCLG choir and Sholom Emanuel.
Oliver’s passing leaves a void that will never be filled. Oliver will be missed by those who loved him. In our hearts he will be remembered by his wife, Mary; son, Kelvin (Rosland) Baker; godsons, Kevin (Patrice) Cheeks and Kenneth Cheeks; daughters, Ionna Laday and Olivia (Martell) Moore of Memphis TN; goddaughters, Kisha (Leland) Cheeks Rucker, Karmesha (Brian) Colbert,
Aleerta (Calvin) Rice, Tiauanda Love all of Chattanooga, TN; grandchildren, Elex Williams, Yasmin Rubayo, Amber Flanagan, Armonie Holt, Nashville, TN, Moiya Thomas, Sydney and Megan Cheeks, Jayla Love, Calvin Logan Rice, Ava Rucker, Alvia and Alexandria Colbert, Morris and Esmee Cheeks, Michelle and Maya Owens-Richards, and Daisy Brown; great-grands, Evena Rubayo, Nayomi Lynn, Amsten Hardy, Soleah Jackson, and Crue Smith; sisters, Yvonne Maxwell, Patricia Russell, Melinda (George) Davidson, Priscilla Jones, and Mary (Jesse) Higgins of Chattanooga, TN, Margaret Ross, Fayetteville, NC, and Audrey Townsend of Buffalo, NY, brothers-in-law, Martin (Phyllis) Green, Smyrna, DE, Marshall Green, Kissimmee, FL, Milton Green, Maurice Green, Richmond VA, Murphy (Verlinda) Green of Chattanooga, TN, Andre (Phyllis) Boaz, John Brown, and Tony Brown; sisters-in-law, Mattie Fowlkes, Mable Baker, Maude Hambright, Valeria B. and Joyce Alexander, Dorenda Cheeks, and Edith Kight, all of Chattanooga, TN; friends, Carl Atwater of Memphis TN, Charles (Carlene) Love, Nathanial (Zettie) Thurman, James Hammond, Nashville, TN, Gwen (aka Mama Gwen) Love, Belinda (aka Baby Sister) West, and Ardella Smith; family friend, Megan Owens-Richards; his many nieces, nephews, and his church family; Pastor Harrington, a dear friend, and his sisters and brothers in Christ at the World’s Church of The Living God.
Public viewing will be from 2-6 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, at the funeral home.
A 12:30 p.m. funeral service will take place, on Tuesday, Jan. 14, in the chapel of John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga.
Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery, gate time at 2 p.m.