Smitty Baker Obituary, Death – A good summary of this passage can be found in 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, and I have kept the faith.” Smitty Douglas Baker, age 73, of Pennington Gap, Virginia, passed away on Monday, November 28, 2022, with his closest family and friends by his side. He was the son of Ralph and Geneva Baker, who both passed away before his birth, and was born on August 5th, 1949 in St. Charles, Virginia. It was in 1967 when he received his diploma from St. Charles High School. In 1971, he graduated from Lincoln Memorial University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. His major was Business Administration. In 1988, he graduated with a Master of Science in Psychology from Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky. Union College is located in the state of Kentucky.
Smitty worked in the field of education for a total of 34 years before finally calling it quits in September 2022. He started out as an adjunct psychology professor at Southeast Community College in Middlesboro, Kentucky, and Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Both of these schools are located in the United States. At the end of his illustrious career, Smitty served as a full-time professor at MECC and as the Chair of the Psychology division. His students adored him, and his colleagues looked up to and respected him.
Smitty was a devout follower of the teachings of the United Methodist Church in St. Charles. He was a Shriner and a Master Mason for 51 years, and he served in both capacities at the Miles Lodge No. 165 in Pennington Gap, Virginia, where he was a member. He is survived by his devoted wife of 41 years, Mona Baker; his son and daughter-in-law, Grant and Mary Beth Baker, of Jonesville; his two cherished grandchildren, Olivia and Walker Baker; a special sister-in-law, Lisa Rasnic; and a nephew, Adam Pendergraft. He was born in Jonesville, North Carolina, and passed away in Jonesville, North Carolina, on April 15, 2019.
At the Robinette Funeral Home in Jonesville, Virginia on December 1, 2022, the family will be present to greet friends from five until seven o’clock in the evening. Immediately after the funeral, Pastor Paul Davis Jr. will preside over a memorial service honoring the deceased and remembering his life. Olivia Baker and Mike Sprinkle will be performing some special music for the event. Masonic Rites will be performed at the graveside service, which will take place on Friday, December 2 at 11:00 a.m. at Lee Memorial Gardens in Woodway. The event will be hosted by Miles Lodge #165. On Friday, at 10:30 a.m., anyone who would like to participate in the funeral procession that will be going to the cemetery is asked to gather at the Robinette Funeral Home in Jonesville.