Mary Ruth "Holstine" Baker

1931 - 2023

Mary Ruth (Holstine) Baker, 91, of Elizabeth, Arkansas, passed away from this life on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, at Salem, Arkansas.

Mary Ruth was born June 9, 1931, in Argosy, Arkansas to Luther Holstine and Alpha (Williams) Holstine.

Mary Ruth was united in marriage to Roy "Jack" Junior Baker on Dec. 13, 1947, at Elizabeth, Arkansas and to this union three children were born. Mary Ruth worked as a dairy farmer for several years, worked at Baxter Lab right after they built the plant in 1964 until she quit to care for her daughter-in-law (Deborah), owned and operated a dress shop at Viola, and one of her greatest delights was loving and caring for her babies (grands, great-grands and expected great-great-grand.)

Mary Ruth was a charter member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church at Elizabeth, Arkansas where she was Adult Sunday School teacher for many years. Mary Ruth compiled a complete study of the book of Revelations which took many years, and after her husband's death she spent many months and travels researching the Holstine genealogy and the Baker genealogy. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt and friend.

Mary Ruth leaves to mourn her passing two sons, Larry (Bev) Baker of Mountain Home, Arkansas and Don (Linda) Baker of Vilonia, Arkansas; daughter Brenda Guffey of Viola, Arkansas; six grandchildren, Melissa (Darrell) Wallace, Angela (Shannon) Bassham, Lisa Guffey, Jason (Tricia) Guffey, Shannon (Melissa) Baker, Emily (Chuy) Mendez; 10 great-grandchildren, McKinley (Craigen) Dees, Kellen Bassham, Chelsea Bassham, Scott Kissinger, Ethan (Becky) Kissinger, Madeline Busker, Mallory Guffey, Izabel Mendez, Aliana Mendez and Mariella Mendez; soon to be great-great-grandson, Baylor Gene Dees; brother J. H. Holstine of Caulfield, Missouri; sister Louise Crotts of Mountain Home, Arkansas; brother-in-law Ray Gilbreath; three sisters-in-law, Rosetta Holstine, Shirley Holstine and Jill Holstine; many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son-in-law Duane Guffey; daughter-in-law Deborah Baker; four brothers, James, Joe, Carmon and Cleo Holstine and two sisters, Joy Lee Baker and Devene Gilbreath; two brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at the Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Elizabeth, Arkansas with Bro. Dwight Scott and Bro. John Hodges officiating. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas.

Interment will be in the Elizabeth Cemetery in Elizabeth, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be Shannon Baker, Chuy Mendez, Shannon Bassham, Jason Guffey, Craigen Dees and Darrell Wallace. Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Kissinger, Ethan Kissinger and Kellen Bassham. Memorials may be given to the Elizabeth Cemetery Association.

Arrangements are under the direction of Barker Funeral Home, LLC in Salem, Arkansas. Guests may sign an online registry at www.barkerfuneral.com.