Obituary of Reverend Charles Edward Williams Baker

“If I ascend up into Heaven, thou are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou are there.” Psalm 139:8

Charles Edward Williams Baker was born July 20, 1947, to the late Addie M. Williams Washington and the late Nathaniel Baker. He departed this life on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana.

He accepted Christ at an early age of six and was baptized at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church by the late Reverend Clifton Wells.  Charles graduated from Peabody High School in 1965.  After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he worked and lived for 17 years.  He later moved back to Alexandria, Louisiana and married Margaret Ann Reed on March 7, 1984.

Charles served faithfully and dedicatedly at the United Pentecostal Church which later became the Antioch Church of the Apostolic Faith with Apostle Louis T. Blake, who ordained him as a minister on April 15, 2007.  In November of 2018, he later returned to his home church, The New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, to stand whole-heartedly as Reverend Clifford T. Person, Jr.’s Associate Minister, Confidant and Friend.  He also served as Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher and Bible Study Teacher.  He was a singing preacher, who will always be remembered for his signature song: “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.” 

Reverend Baker was known by all of his friends, family, and church members as a humorous individual.  He had a way of laughing that made others in his presence automatically laugh.  He was simply a lovable man, who carried the light of Jesus with him.  Known by most as “Baker”, Charles was one who could “make your day.”

When it came to football, he was an avid Dallas Cowboys and an Alabama Crimson Tide fan. 

Charles was preceded in death by his mother, Addie W. Washington; Step-Father, Joseph Washington Sr., Father, Nathaniel Baker Sr.; Son, Charles Baker Jr.; Daughter, Lisa Wilkes; Brother, Donald Ray Washington; Niece, Quishala Burns; Nephew, Gregory Beaudion; Maternal and Paternal Grandparents; and 1 granddog, Joey Keller.

Charles leaves to cherish his memories:  his lovely and devoted wife of 34 years, Margaret Ann Reed Baker of Alexandria, La. His 5 daughters:  Barbara Hayes of Pontiac, MI, Rosalind B. Lee (Chris) of San Bernardino, CA, Deirdre Gilbert of Ocean Springs, MS, Darnetta Keller (Charles) and Damica Hardison both of Alexandria, LA.  1 son: Derek Hardison (Twarnette) of Alexandria, LA;  4 sisters: Gwendolyn Beaudion of Sioux Falls, SD, Diana Cheney (Joseph) of Saginaw, MI, Beverly Burns and Debra Wright (Ronald) of Alexandria, LA;  4 brothers:  Joe Washington Jr. (Elnora) of Saginaw, MI , Horace Burns, Jr, Herman Burns, and Nathaniel Baker, Jr. of Alexandria, LA;  2 god-daughters:  Kaisha Burns of Lawtell, LA and De’Asia Blake of Alexandria, LA; 2 god-brothers: Chris Freel and Floyd Rue of Alexandria, LA; 4 god-sisters: Delores King, Carolyn Reed (Johnny) of Alexandria, LA, Angie Brown and Cheryl Moore of Los Angeles, CA;  5 aunts: Dorothy Scott, Dorothy Dorsey, Amy Cheney, Georgia Taylor of Alexandria, LA and Janie Stephens of Los Angeles, CA;  23 grandchildren; 7+ great-grandchildren; 1 granddog: Dallas Keller; 2 very close friends: Freddie Bailey of Alexandria, LA  and Jackie “Happy Jack” Johnson of Natchitoches, LA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.