1940
Benny
2014
Benny Baker
July 23, 1940 — January 25, 2014
Benny Neal Baker, 73, passed away unexpectedly, at MS Baptist Medical Center, early Saturday morning, January 25, 2014. Visitation will be held on Mon. Jan. 27, 2014 from 4:30pm-8pm at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS and on Tues. Jan. 28, 2014 from 2pm-3pm at the Oakdale Baptist Church in Brandon, MS. Funeral Services are 3pm Tues. Jan. 28, 2014 at Oakdale Baptist Church with burial to follow in the Oakdale Cemetery.
A life-long resident of Brandon, Benny was preceded in death by his parents, Von Baker and Sadie Steverson Baker and his younger brother, Billy Don Baker. Mr. Baker is survived by his daughters, Amy (Andy) Baker Ruff and Emily (Joey) Baker Tignor; brother, Royce (Melva) Baker, sisters, Joan Baker Blakeney and Yvonne (Paul) Baker Warren. He cherished four precious granddaughters, Madison, Kennedy, and Cydney Claire Ruff and Ava Kate Tignor. Mr. Baker is also survived by his wife Mary McEwen Baker and former wife, Susan Herron Sprowls, and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends who will miss him terribly.
After graduating from Brandon High School in 1958 and attending Hinds Jr. College, Mr. Baker served in the National Guard, 113th MP unit in Brandon, alongside his brother Royce. After serving in the military, Benny joined his father in the family contracting business, which grew into a long term partnership with VA and FHA.
His property at Baker Lane and Hwy 471 (known as “the corner”) was home to everything from ball games, parties, social gatherings, a store, a restaurant and other business ventures. In later years, Benny and Royce established Fannin Landfill, better known as “the Dump”. Only Benny, Royce and Ken could be so successful digging a hole and then filling it up. Whether they gathered at “the car lot”, “Skinners”, “the corner”, or “the Dump”, Benny was faithfully accompanied by his brother, Royce, and best friends, Freddie Dunlap, Ken Warren, Sammy (Peg) Smith, Eric Reid, Don Purvis and other beloved buddies throughout the years.
Benny was a well-loved man, extremely generous and truly hilarious. Brandon folks knew Benny and he had a nickname for almost everyone. He attended Oakdale Baptist Church for his entire life and even coached the ladies softball team for quite a few years. His encouragement might be “don’t matter if you win or lose, as long as you look good”. We all loved him no matter how much he teased us because that was “his way”.
Pallbearers will be nephews, Steve Baker, Corey Baker, Ricky Baker, Darren Warren, and very close friends, Freddie Dunlap and Don Purvis. Honorary pallbearers are the members of Alvin Martin’s Sunday School class at Oakdale Baptist Church. The family requests that any memorials be made to the American Diabetes Association.
A life-long resident of Brandon, Benny was preceded in death by his parents, Von Baker and Sadie Steverson Baker and his younger brother, Billy Don Baker. Mr. Baker is survived by his daughters, Amy (Andy) Baker Ruff and Emily (Joey) Baker Tignor; brother, Royce (Melva) Baker, sisters, Joan Baker Blakeney and Yvonne (Paul) Baker Warren. He cherished four precious granddaughters, Madison, Kennedy, and Cydney Claire Ruff and Ava Kate Tignor. Mr. Baker is also survived by his wife Mary McEwen Baker and former wife, Susan Herron Sprowls, and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends who will miss him terribly.
After graduating from Brandon High School in 1958 and attending Hinds Jr. College, Mr. Baker served in the National Guard, 113th MP unit in Brandon, alongside his brother Royce. After serving in the military, Benny joined his father in the family contracting business, which grew into a long term partnership with VA and FHA.
His property at Baker Lane and Hwy 471 (known as “the corner”) was home to everything from ball games, parties, social gatherings, a store, a restaurant and other business ventures. In later years, Benny and Royce established Fannin Landfill, better known as “the Dump”. Only Benny, Royce and Ken could be so successful digging a hole and then filling it up. Whether they gathered at “the car lot”, “Skinners”, “the corner”, or “the Dump”, Benny was faithfully accompanied by his brother, Royce, and best friends, Freddie Dunlap, Ken Warren, Sammy (Peg) Smith, Eric Reid, Don Purvis and other beloved buddies throughout the years.
Benny was a well-loved man, extremely generous and truly hilarious. Brandon folks knew Benny and he had a nickname for almost everyone. He attended Oakdale Baptist Church for his entire life and even coached the ladies softball team for quite a few years. His encouragement might be “don’t matter if you win or lose, as long as you look good”. We all loved him no matter how much he teased us because that was “his way”.
Pallbearers will be nephews, Steve Baker, Corey Baker, Ricky Baker, Darren Warren, and very close friends, Freddie Dunlap and Don Purvis. Honorary pallbearers are the members of Alvin Martin’s Sunday School class at Oakdale Baptist Church. The family requests that any memorials be made to the American Diabetes Association.
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