VERNON L. BAKER

BAKER, Mr. Vernon L., a native Texan and a long-time resident of Montgomery, Alabama, died on Friday, November 14, 2003 at a local hospital. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 12:00 noon from St. John's AME Church with Rev. James Arnell, officiating. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery with Ross-Clayton Funeral Home, Inc., Direct-ing.Mr. Baker attended schools in Texas and matriculated at Prairie View University until he enlisted in the United States Air Force where He earned the rank of Captain. While stationed here in Montgomery, he met and married Alvan Jean Free-ny Baker whom he loved and Che-rished until his death. As a devout member of St. John's Church, he served wherever needed including serving as the Pastor's Steward under former general officer and pastor, Dr. Anderson Todd, Jr. and the present pastor, James E. Arnell. As an educator, he served in the public school system in the city of Montgomery where he retired as principal of Hayneville Road Ele-mentary School. Among his affilia-tions were life member of the Montgomery Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, the Dukes Social Club, and the Spar-tans Social Club. Survivors are his loving wife, whom he called, Jean Alvan F. Baker; sons, Vernon J. Baker, Houston, TX and David M. (Debra) Baker, San Antonio, TX; daughter, Jenice M. (R-ichard) Quesada, Springdale, AK; five granddaughters; one grand-son; one great-granddaughter; one niece, Esteria (Herbert) Zenon, Houston, TX; two nephews, Sullivan D. (Olivia) Baker, Jr. and Hubert Baker, Houston, TX; five loving cou-sins, Armond Scott (Gwen) Ligon, Montgomery, AL, Anthony O. (Sabr-ina) Gibson, Montgomery, AL, Constance L. (Frederick) Johnson, Montgomery, AL, Maude JaMelle Smith, Montgomery, AL and Mar-guerita Banks, Atlanta, GA; one de-voted friend, Loretta McQueen, Montgomery, AL and a host of great-nieces and nephews, other relatives and countless friends. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to funeral service.