Sidney Guy Baker, age 90, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, June 22, 2009 surrounded by his loving and caring family.

Guy was the youngest of twelve children born to John Sidney and Alice Batchelor Baker on March 22, 1919 in the Sandy Cross Community, near Nashville, N.C. In 1941 he moved to Wilmington where he worked in the shipyard as a union welder during WW II. There he met and married the love of his life, Lillie Mae Wilson of Rocky Point. Guy was the last living of the four founders of Pender Packing Company, Inc. which opened for business on September 1, 1950. He was sole owner and operator from 1983 until his retirement in 1993. It remains a viable meat processing business today and continues to be owned and operated by the Baker family.

A life long Baptist, Guy was a faithful member of Riley's Creek Baptist Church where he served as Sunday school music director for many years. His vocal talent and love of music was shared generously in the community through his singing at weddings, funerals and church functions.

Guy's faith and devotion to the Lord and his thankfulness for his many blessings received from his Lord and Savior spoke clearly to his family and friends. He was a man who never forgot his humble beginnings and tried to better himself and all of those he touched his entire life. All of his life he was a hard working man and taught his children the same honest values.

He was a member of the Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, Ruritan Club and worked tirelessly for the betterment of his community. No event, great or small, was ever denied his generosity and for many years during the Christmas season, he prepared and delivered care packages of meat and other goods to older people in the community. He had a great fondness of the outdoors and was an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener.

Guy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and will be remembered as a gentle, kind man who loved God and his family. His joyful outlook on life was evidenced in his everyday walk. He lived his life by a simple creed: Do justice, love your neighbor and walk humbly with God. Guy ("PaPa") will be greatly missed.

Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Mae Wilson Baker of the home; children, Tim G. Baker and his wife, Cheryl of Rocky Point, Danny L. Baker and his wife, Yvonne of Rocky Point and Marianne Baker Smitherman and her husband, Garland of Wilson; grandchildren; Brad Baker, Lori Baker O'Neil, Jeffrey Peedin, Christopher Baker, DeLayne Baker, Matthew Smitherman, and Andrew Smitherman; and two great-grandchildren, Tylon O'Neil and Olivia Baker. Also surviving is one sister-in-law, Maggie Baker of Rocky Mount and many nieces and nephews.

Guy was preceded in death by his siblings, Pearlie B. Bone, Tommy Baker, Ernest Baker, Lizzie B. Batchelor, Melton Baker, Lucille B. Potter, Cooley Baker, Selby Baker, Lee Baker, Ruth B. Gardner and Hettie Belle B. Weaver and his nephew, "Little Tommie" Baker.

Special thanks to caregivers Linda Blake and Mary Bass for their caring devotion, to Dr. Alan Morgan for the unselfish giving of his time whenever needed and also to RN's Lisa Angell and Carol Tutherow for this special care.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at Riley's Creek Baptist Church prior to the funeral service and at the Baker residence following the burial.

Funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Riley's Creek Baptist Church with The Rev. Melvin Hall officiating.

Burial will follow in Riley's Creek Memorial Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Brad Baker, Christopher Baker, Jeffrey Peedin, Matthew Smitherman, Garland Smitherman, Johnnie Baker, Donnie O'Neil and Larry Weaver.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Ed Wilson, Lowell Mercer, George Albury, Jimmy Huggins, David Huggins and Bob Gilbert.

Memorial gifts may be given to Riley's Creek Baptist Church Music Ministry or Riley's Creek Memorial Cemetery, 19845 NC Hwy 210, Rocky Point, NC 28457. Because of Guy's love of the outdoors all plants given in lieu of flowers will be planted as a living memorial.

Condolences may be sent to www.quinnmcgowen.com
Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.