Marion Lee Baptist, son of Robert and Ethel Tapscott Baptist, was born August 27, 1922, in Bryan County, Oklahoma. He departed this life Tuesday, May 25, 2010, in St. John's Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-seven years, eight months, and twenty-eight days.
On December 26, 1943, he was united in marriage to Helen Elizabeth Hilliard, and to this union six daughters and three sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen, on February 19, 2008; a son, Benjamin D. Baptist; two brothers, Frank and Willis "Ike" Baptist; and four sisters, Ora May Hilliard, Ina Coma, Roberta Rascon, and Nelle Hatcher.
Lee is survived by two sons, Leon Baptist, and his wife, JoAnn, of Magalia, California, and Byron Baptist, and his wife, Barbara, of Luray, Virginia; six daughters, Amelia McBride, and her husband, Duane, of Berrien Center, Michigan, Ellen Giem, and her husband, David, of Sullivan, Missouri, Irene Mueller, and her husband, Don, of Orlando, Florida, Orla Anderson, of Oroville, California, Ulena Robinson, and her husband, David, of Taipai, Taiwan, and Zetta Gore, and her husband, Richard, of Clarkdale, Arizona; twenty-three grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; three brothers, Ross Baptist, of Westcliffe, Colorado, George Baptist, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, and Norman "Dale" Baptist, of Rock City, Illinois; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born in Oklahoma, raised in Sarcoxie, Missouri, and graduated from high school in Jacksonville, Illinois. He then attended Emmanuel Missionary College, now Andrews University, in Berrien Springs, Michigan. After he and Helen were married in Chamberlain, South Dakota, they made their home in Jacksonville, Illinois until the 1970's. The family then moved to California, near Riverside, and made their home. Lee owned and operated a farm throughout most of his life and also worked for the La Sierra University farm in Riverside for several years. In 1981, he and Helen moved to Lebanon, Missouri, and made their retirement home.
Lee was a longtime member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and was an active member and Elder in the Lebanon Seventh-Day Adventist Church for the last thirty years. He centered his life around his church and his family.
He and Helen had volunteered at Crosslines Ministry in Lebanon, and had done some tutoring. In his spare time he enjoyed reading, gardening and helping others. He liked working crossword puzzles, bird watching, and was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He especially enjoyed taking Sabbath afternoon walks. Music was very important to him and he enjoyed playing the guitar.
Lee was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a kind and caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will treasure the memories he made for them throughout his lifetime.