Clarence Baker

BAKER, Sgt. Clarence Hartwell "Hardy," a loving husband, father, grandfather, soldier, artist, carpenter and great-grandfather, went to be with his Lord on June 3, 2010, from his lake home in Mechanicsville, Va. He was 91 years of age. He is survived by his beloved wife, Myrtle Spicer Baker; their daughter, Mary Lou Hornby, both of Mechanicsville, Va.; their grandchildren, Ben Hornby and Stephanie Lanciki and their spouses, Jenny Hornby and Brian Lanciki; their great-grandchildren, Nathan Benjamin Hornby and Violet Mae Lanciki of Virginia Beach, Va.; and many nieces and nephews. Hardy, one of Darby's original WWII Rangers, was a faithful member of Cool Spring Baptist Church and Richmond's Northeast Camp of Gideons International for many years and served when able. He enjoyed his work at Industrial Supply Corporation before retirement and aimed to continue relationships with the staff. He was devoted to serving the Lord, prayer and being with his family, friends and pet dog, Lily. The family is grateful for the support and ministry from the congregation of Cool Spring Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 6, 2010, at Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road, in Mechanicsville. A celebration of Hardy's life will be shared at 11 a.m. at Cool Spring Baptist Church on Monday, June 7, 2010. Interment will follow at Signal Hill Memorial Park, with Rev. Larry Frakes to officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either Cool Spring Baptist Church, 9283 Atlee Station Road, Mechanicsville Va. 23116, or Gideon's International, Box 193, Mechanicsville, Va. 23111.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.