Bernice Elizabeth "Beanie" Baker

Bernice Elizabeth "Beanie" Baker, 93, of Statesville, died Feb. 25, 2009, after a brief illness. Mrs. Baker was born in Statesville on June 23, 1915, the second of four children of Charles Sydney and Vernon Cline Brawley. Mrs. Baker was a graduate of Statesville City Schools and of Mitchell College. She also attended Appalachian State Teachers College, where she met Eugene Goodman Baker. Beanie and Gene Baker were married on June 3, 1939, and were united in love until Mr. Baker's death in 2005. Beanie was a lifelong resident of Statesville. She grew up on Davie Avenue, raised her family and lived for 50 years on Oakwood Drive, and returned again to Davie Avenue as a resident of The Gardens from 2004 until the time of her death. She was a long-time member of Broad Street United Methodist Church and currently a member of Concord Presbyterian Church in Loray. She fulfilled her chosen role of wife and mother with consummate skill and with love. She had a gift for friendships that endured for decades. Beanie is survived by her three children: Tom Baker and his wife, Doris, of Monument, Colo.; Leslie Baker Arpin and her husband, Edward, of Raleigh; and Bill Baker and his wife, Emily, of Statesville. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Baker was preceded in death by two sisters, Martha B. Marley and Charlye B. Shelton and by a brother, William S. Brawley. Beanie took great delight in her six grandchildren: Brad Baker and his wife, Bridget, of Glenwood Springs, Colo.; Katie Baker Collins and her husband, Parks, of Statesville; Douglas Baker of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Laura and Thomas Arpin of Raleigh; Liz Baker, also of Raleigh. She is survived also by a great-grandson, Baker Parks Collins, of Statesville. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Concord Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Kyle Goodman presiding. Friends and family are invited to gather in the fellowship hall immediately following the service. A private committal will be held at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Concord Presbyterian Church, 3867 Taylorsville Highway, Statesville, NC 28677 or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the Baker family.