Spruill Marshall Baker Jr.

Spruill Marshall Baker, Jr., known to all as Marshall, was born on July 21, 1953, the first child of Spruill Marshall Baker, Sr., and Grey Pearce Baker. He passed away on December 20, 2025, following a brief battle with lung cancer.

Marshall grew up on a tobacco farm in Knightdale, graduated from Vaiden Whitley High School, attended Chowan College, and served in the U.S. Army. He was a Captain with the Raleigh Fire Department, where he retired with 30 years of service. Marshall loved his family, his friends, his community, and his church. A man of integrity and deep faith, he loved the Lord and lived his life in service to others.

He found great joy in cooking for a crowd, playing with his grandchildren, golfing with his buddies, eating breakfast with "the boys," and relaxing at the beach with his family. Marshall was known among his friends as a dependable and loyal presence – someone who could always be counted on in any situation.

He is survived by his wife, Robin Stell Baker, the love of his life, to whom he was married for 51 years. He is also survived by his son Matthew Marshall Baker and his wife, Julie, and his daughter Renn Baker McMurray; and his four grandchildren, Baker, Elliott, Nash, and Hattie, who lovingly called him "Sweets" – the perfect name for him in his role as a grandaddy.

Marshall is also survived by his two brothers, Craig Baker and his wife June, and Mitch Baker, along with many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Marshall was preceded in death by his beloved son-in-law, Roger McMurray. He was also preceded in death by his in-laws, Dexter and Linda Stell, and by Robin's brothers, Decky and David Stell, who loved him like a brother.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 8400 Poole Road, Knightdale, NC 27545. Everyone is invited to join the family for a time of fellowship at a dessert reception immediately following the service, in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Marshall's memory to the Bethlehem Baptist Cemetery Fund.