Vaughn Baker Jr.

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Vaughn Elliott Baker Jr., 81, of Sikeston, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro.

He was born May 28, 1939, in Morgantown, West Virginia, son of the late Vaughn Elliott Sr. and Violet Pauline Twigg Baker.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Sikeston and had worked as an insurance agent for Shelter Insurance Cos. for more than 25 years before retiring.

On June 7, 1941, in Morgantown, he married Ruth Elaine Areford Baker. She preceded him in death Sept. 14, 2015. He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Sarah Vinson.

Survivors include daughters, Dianna (Chris) Shew of Kingston Springs, Tennessee, Amy (Jim) Ducklo of Nashville, Tennessee, Paula (Dean) Tetley of Jackson and Lori (Tracy) Vinson of Jonesboro; brother, Robert (Sandy) Baker of Morgantown; sisters, Wanda Areford of Morgantown and Dixie Lemley of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: grandchildren, Rebecca Shew (Ben Cross), Will Tetley, Nicole Ducklo, Robert (Allison) Shew, Joshua (Caitlin) Vinson, Benjamin Ducklo, Katie Tetley and Ashley Vinson; and great-grandchildren, Carter Tetley and Elijah Vinson.

Vaughn was an enthusiastic athlete who played in the church softball league and was an avid golfer. He was accomplished at woodworking and playing his harmonicas. He loved any activity that involved his grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston. Masks are required.

A private family funeral service will be held Friday. Brother Todd Vinson, pastor of Keiser First Baptist Church in Keiser, Arkansas, will officiate. The service will be livestreamed by Ponder Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, www.michaeljfox.org.