Gertie Baker, 88 of DeRidder, La. departed this life on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2009 at Beauregard Memorial Hospital. She was a lifelong resident of DeRidder. Gertie was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Earnest Baker and two grandsons Kenny Baker and Thomas Morgan Baker.
She leaves to cherish her memory, sons James Baker and wife Sherry; Kenneth Baker and wife Pam, all of DeRidder; daughters Brenda Strader and husband John of Dayton, Ohio; Joy Williams and husband Ronald Paul of DeRidder; Opal Cormier and husband Gerald of Merryville; 11 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday Jan. 17, 2009 at Hixson Funeral Home of DeRidder. Visitation will begin Sunday Jan. 18 at Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church starting at 9 a.m., with the funeral at 2 p.m.

A graveside service will follow at Beauregard Cemetery under the direction of Hixson Funeral Home of DeRidder. The Rev. Ed Tilley will officiate.