Leona M. Baker

Leona M Baker, 90 of Tipton died at 1:55 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2016 at Miller’s Merry Manor, Tipton. She was born in Santa Monica, California on December 26, 1925 to Hugh Brinkley Hunt, Jr. & Mildred Louise (Mallery) Kirkish.

Leona was an Office Administrator. She worked for National Life Insurance, Kirkish Stair and Woodworking Company, Dr. Torres, and Evangel Church before retiring in 1990. Leona was a member of Vineyard Assembly of God. She attended Glad Tidings Bible Institute in San Francisco from 1946-1948. Leona served with the USO from 1941-1943. She was very active in women’s and children’s ministries including Missionettes Girls Club. Leona enjoyed puzzles, knitting and Mediterranean food. She loved spending time with her family, especially her great-grandchildren.

She is survived by a son, Howard Lee Baker, Jr. and wife Pamela, San Jose, California; a daughter, Naomi Ruth Sluka and husband Mark, Tipton; four grandchildren, Arthur John Sluka and wife Ashley and their children Gabrielle, Carly and Lia; Philip Steven Sluka and wife Kristi and their children Christopher, Addison, Joel and Quinn; David Darrell Sluka and wife Andrea and their children Callie, Cora and Ruby; Janelle Terese Gohlke and husband Michael and their children Garrett and Isabella. Leona was preceded in death by a brother, Douglass Alvin Kirkish.

Leona’s funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 24 at Young-Nichols Funeral Home with Pastor Joe Brock presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Tipton. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions in Leona’s honor may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

Leona loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart and was a devout prayer warrior. Her greatest reward was to see her whole family serving the Lord.