Deacon Michael Tyrone Baker Sr.

Deacon Michael Tyrone Baker, Sr., age 73, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 12, 2025. He was born on October 16, 1952, to the late John Baker Sr. and Eunice Baker in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. The fourth of eight children, he was reared in the Norfolk, Virginia area.

He received his early education from the Norfolk Public School System. A 1971 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, he was very active and was a member of the concert band, dance band, and monogram club. Additionally, he was a member of the track and field team, where he was a champion pole vaulter. Upon graduation, he was awarded a four-year track and field athletic scholarship to attend Norfolk State College, coached by William "Dick" Price. As one who believed in brotherhood and serving the community, he joined and was a proud member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated in 1974. In 1979, he completed his college education and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

Michael believed in chartering your own path to success and was the owner and operator of Baker's Masonry, a family-operated construction business, for over 40 years.

Michael gave his life to Christ and was baptized as a young boy. He has been a member of First Baptist Church, Logan Park, Norfolk, Virginia, for many years. He was very active in the church, having served as a Boy Scout Troop Leader and Chairman of the Building Committee. Additionally, he served as Sunday School Superintendent for 6 years and was a member of the Male Choir and Bus Ministry. His greatest accomplishment was his ordination as a Deacon on June 30, 2002. He faithfully served as a Deacon for 23 years and served as Chairman of Deacons for 15 years.

In his pastime, he enjoyed sports and was a member of the Norfolk State University Athletic Foundation. He and his wife traveled many places together and were avid supporters of the NSU athletic programs.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 39 years, Theresa G. Baker; five children, Woodrena Baker of Tampa, Florida, Janell Branch (Russell) of Norfolk, Virginia, Janise Perry (Immanuel) of Chesapeake, Virginia, Michael Baker, II (Stacy) of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Yvonne Payne (Brady) of Hampton, Virginia; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers, Lloyd Baker (Gloria) of San Diego, California and John Baker, Jr. of Portsmouth, Virginia; one sister Karen Copeland (Michael) of Norfolk, Virginia; a mother-in-law, Janie Gayle of Hampton, Virginia; an uncle, Kenneth Baker (Prestine) of Norfolk, Virginia; two aunts, Virginia Garris of Norfolk, Virginia and Myrtle Person of Chesapeake, Virginia; two other sisters-in-law, Annie Allbritton (Marvin) and Vanessa Johnson (Greg); three other brothers-in-law, David Ware (Viveca), Daniel Ware (Freida), and Charles Gayle, Jr.; godson, Isaiah Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. His parents, first wife, Mary, and siblings, Gwen, Renee, Tony, and George (Jerry) predeceased him.

Celebration of Life: Saturday, December 27, 2025 11:00 AM New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church 1765 S. Military Highway Chesapeake, VA
Laid to Rest: Roosevelt Memorial Park 1101 Campostella Road Chesapeake, VA