Mary Helen Baker

Mary Helen Baker of Bee Branch, Arkansas passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the Van Buren County Nursing Home. She was born May 27, 1929 at Bee Branch to Lizzie and Ervin Baker, who preceded her in death. Miss Baker graduated from South Side High School in 1947 and was valedictorian of her class. She earned both BSE and MSE degrees from Arkansas State Teachers College, now UCA. She was selected the 1987 Distinguished Alumni of South Side School. She was a member of Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. She taught business education for 5 years at England High School, England, Arkansas and moved back home to Bee Branch, where she taught Business Education at South Side High School for 20 years. She retired in May 1976 after many years of teaching her students typing and other business courses. One of the things that she taught us and has followed us throughout our lives was organization. Her students stopped by to see her often, bringing a piece of chocolate cake or vegetables from their gardens. People who have been through Bee Branch at Christmas time will remember the yellow house with the horse and carriage, complete with a couple dressed to go out. The students who helped with this were known as the Christmas Display Committee and loved her dearly. She took great pride in her 1907 home being on the Historic Register. Miss Baker was the sponsor for the school newspaper and worked with the students on the high school yearbook. She was honored several times when the yearbook staff dedicated the yearbook to her. As her many students have grown up and gone their separate ways, there remains a place in our hearts for Miss Baker and the kindness and patience she had with us. Her favorite scripture was "Be kind to one another." And her favorite color was pink. She loved her old cat, Bob, who passed on a few years back. She was a member of the Damascus United Methodist Church. Services will be held at the Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Greenbrier on Friday, June 9, 2017 at 1 p.m. with Reverend Vaughn Marsden officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, June 8, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Bee Branch Cemetery. Pallbearers are Billy Paul Rogers, Don Pennington, Tommy Hutto, Gilbert Lewis, Harvey Pennington, and Charles Wood. Honorary Pallbearers are Lloyd Baker, Jackie Lankford and Harold Stark.