BERNIE -- Arkie Mae Baker, 97, died Wednesday, May 26, 1999, at Piggott Hospital at Piggott, Ark.

She was born Jan. 23, 1902, at Atkins, Ark., daughter of Horace and Susan Bell Nichols. She and Seth Simon Baker Sr. were married Aug. 4, 1918, at Blackwell, Ark. He died Sept. 18, 1975.

Baker had lived in Dexter before moving to Bernie 12 years ago. She was a member of Assembly of God Church in Dexter.

Survivors include two sons, Seth Simon Baker Jr. of Walnut Creek, Calif., James Baker of Malden; three daughters, Flora Fortenberry of Phoenix, Ariz., Pauline Watkins of Lilbourn and Virginia Newton of Bernie; two sisters, Jewell Hooks of Sikeston and Anna Harris of Marion, Ind.; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four daughters and two brothers.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Rainey Funeral Home in Bernie.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the chapel, with the Rev. David Looney officiating. Burial will be in the Hagy Cemetery in Dexter.