Frances Baker passed away on August 9, 2012 at her residence in Fairmont. She was the beloved wife of Paul Baker for 73 years; the daughter of the late Mary M. Gouzd and stepdaughter of the late Charles Gouzd, formerly of Rachel. She resided with Paul on a small farm on Salt Lick Road near Mannington for over 50 years. She graduated from Farmington High School in 1938. One of her passions was her devotion to St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Mannington where she was a member for over 70 years. She served on the Altar and Rosary Society, and taught religious classes to children for many years, in addition to providing many other services to that Parrish. She was especially noted for her exceptional talent of cooking and baking for family, friends and church gatherings and social events. Another one of her many talents was crocheting hundreds of beautiful table cloths, bedspreads and afghans for her family. Frances was extremely proud of her flower and vegetable gardens whose beauty she generously shared with family and friends. Her greatest love was for her family. Spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren brought her immeasurable pleasure throughout her lifetime. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Paul Baker, her mother, Mary M. Gouzd and step father Charles Gouzd,; brothers, John F. Gouzd and Karl Gouzd, and one granddaughter, Krystal Baker-Golden. Survivors include her four children: Carolyn McKown and husband, Dave, Denver, CO, Paul Baker and wife Fran, Fairmont, Danny Baker and wife Terri, Kingman, AZ, and Barbara Earl and husband Roger, Fairmont; 6 grandchildren: Jim McKown, Boulder, CO, Cathy Perez and husband Mario, Centennial, CO, Christopher Baker, Portland, OR, Michael Earl, Morgantown, Lisa Casuccio and husband Larry, Barrackville, and Stephen Kovach, Fairmont; 4 great grandchildren: Eduardo Perez, Isabella Perez, and Joshua Perez, all of Centennial, CO, and Roman Anthony Casuccio, Barrackville; 3 sisters: Mary Manchin, Farmington, Anna Pollock, of Rachel, Helen Tatar, OH; 2 brothers: Joe Gouzd, Farmington, and Bob Gouzd, Fairmont; as well as much loved sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and many friends. Friends may call at the Hutson Funeral Home, 500 E. Main St., Mannington, on Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. where a Biblical Wake Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 14, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Mannington with Rev. Fr. Hilarion V. Cann as celebrant. Interment will be in the Viewpoint Cemetery at Rachel.
Published in the Times West Virginian 08/12/12