HELEN BAKER

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Helen Mae Berry Caldwell Baker entered this world Dec. 7, 1914, at Marble Hill, the youngest of seven children born to John H. and Ida Kirkpatrick Berry. She left her earthly home to be welcomed into her heavenly, eternal home Sunday, May 13, 2001. She was 86 years of age.

Mae spent her life in Bollinger County. Her growing up years were spent on the Berry farm, a short distance out of town and when she married she just moved over the hill to another farm. She attended Will Mayfield College, and in her early working years was a schoolteacher.

She married Donald D. Caldwell in 1937, and to this union was born a son and three daughters: Donald D. Caldwell II, Carol L. Fetterhoff, A. Ernestine Kidd, and M. Louise Hahn who survive her; and a daughter, Paula Mae Caldwell, who predeceased her. Her husband predeceased her March 21, 1953.

She and her husband were farmers and Mae and her children continued to earn their living by farming many years. In 1962 she moved to town and became a businesswoman, running her store, Louise's Grocery, until ill health forced her to retire.

During this period of time she married Emro Baker, who predeceased her.

She took great joy in the people of her community and especially her penny candy customers -- then later watching them grow up. Many of them later graced her with notes or came back to see her.

She served as collector for the city of Marble Hill several years and as city marshal. Her occupations were diverse as were her interests. She enjoyed traveling, reading and learning new things.

In her retirement years she enjoyed doing what she could in her church, Hahn Chapel General Baptist, and the support and fellowship shared with her.

Mae busied herself with embroidery and piecing quilts -- at which she was quite good -- having made each of her children a quilt since reaching the age of 80. Special quilts were made for each grandchild and through the years her nimble fingers made several quilts for her children.

She enjoyed cooking for her church family, her family and friends. She would bake a pie, give a call and say "there is a pie on my table with your name on it." Her pies will be missed by many as they were always an expression of her love.

Besides her four children she is survived by four children-in-law, Linda Caldwell, Bill Fetterhoff, Forrest Kidd and Gary Hahn; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a stepson, Darrell Baker and his family, all of whom were a blessing to her and provided her with joy.

Also she is survived by a host of nephews and nieces who were special in her life.

She was predeceased by a grandson, Donald D. Caldwell III; three brothers, J.W., Pink and Paul Berry; three sisters, Berniece Grindstaff, Carol Barrett and Mildred Peterman.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill, and from 9-11 a.m. Thursday at Hahn Chapel General Baptist Church near Marble Hill.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, with the Rev. Gerald Huff officiating. Burial will follow in Marble Hill Cemetery.