Margaret Baker

HENDERSONVILLE-Margaret Reaves Baker, 92, of Hendersonville died Sunday, July 19, 2015 at Spring Arbor of Hendersonville. She was born October 3, 1922 in Honey Grove, TX to the late Rev. Andrew Walter and Eunice Powell Reaves. She was also preceded in death by her two sisters, Catherine Reaves Nicholson and Virginia Reaves Parker, and by her daughter, Pamela Ann Baker Locke.
Mrs. Baker was a graduate of Stetson University, where she earned both the Bachelor of Arts degree and the Bachelor of Music degree. She studied and taught at Baylor University. She held the degree of Master of Sacred Music from Southwestern Theological Seminary. A gifted and professional musician, she made her life work in sacred music -- as a soloist, teacher, and choir director. She sang in choirs and directed music in Baptist Churches in Texas, Alabama, Florida, and Arkansas before she and her husband were employed as missionaries in South Korea, Zambia, and South Africa. In Zambia she founded the Kitwe Choral Society and directed the Lusaka Choral Society, an 86-voice international choir. When she retired after 25 years in the mission field, Mrs. Baker moved to Flat Rock in 1987 and served as music director of West Hendersonville Baptist Church and interim choir director of St. James Episcopal Church, both in Hendersonville.
Mrs. Baker is survived by her husband, The Rev. Frank Jackson Baker, formerly of Flat Rock, NC, now residing at Spring Arbor of Hendersonville; daughter, Bethany Ann Baker Austin and her husband, Kevin, of Lorena, TX; grandsons, Shane Glenn Austin of Lorena, TX and Skyler Austin and his wife, Courtney, of Houston, TX.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11 am on Friday, July 24, 2015 in the Chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 538 Tracy Grove Road, Hendersonville. Reverends Wally Shamburger and Steve Scoggins will officiate. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family may be greeted following the graveside service.
It is Mrs. Baker's wish that, if memorial gifts are made, please make them to The International Mission Board, PO Box 6767, Richmond, VA 26260.
To offer condolences online, please visit www.forestlawnhendersonville.com. Forest Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.