Martha Gross Baker

Mrs. Martha Gross Baker was born May 22, 1930. She passed away Friday, December 6, 2024 in Kingsport Tennessee. Martha Gross Baker was born the daughter of the late Elihu Gross and Elizabeth Howard Gross. Martha went home to be with the Lord on December 6, 2024 surrounded by her loving family and friends. John Baker, her beloved husband of 66 years preceded her in death on May 24, 2016. Martha was affiliated with the Church of God and was an active and dedicated member in each church she attended. She grew up in a large loving family in little Stinnett, Kentucky and later she and John raised their own family of five children there as well. It was always Martha's dream to become a schoolteacher. She began her teaching career at a one room school in Muncy Creek located at Stinnett Kentucky. Martha truly had a calling on her life and was an exceptional teacher serving 33 years in the Kentucky school system. She taught 30 years at the Stinnett schools of Leslie County and the last three years at the last one room school in the state at Jabez, Kentucky. In addition to her regular teaching job she taught many summer classes in an after school hours program called the Happy Pappy’s in which she taught veterans, fathers and grandfathers to read and write. Martha was so proud when they all completed the class and received their certificates. Martha was instrumental in establishing the head start and kindergarten programs in Leslie county. She especially loved teaching the first graders to read and always enjoyed playing with them. Martha loved each one of her students and strived to make sure each one reached their full potential to have a happier and more prosperous life for themselves and their families. Martha taught that each one was equally important and should always be treated with love and respect. Martha and her husband John enjoyed their 66 years together and shared a love for fishing, gardening and spending time with family and friends. You never left their home hungry as Martha would cook delicious meals for everyone that would stay and eat

Martha and John spent many days on the Cumberland lake fishing and she could catch the fish as well as John. Martha always had the most beautiful flower gardens,  many would come to let Martha give them the tour of the yard and many would drive by to take pictures of it. Martha was a dedicated child of God and was very involved in all the activities of the church. She loved singing specials and teaching Sunday school and helping with all the fundraising events baking, making crafts and quilts to sell for the church. She was faithful to attend all the services and always tried to read her Bible everyday. She was a true witness to all who knew her and was always ready to pray with anyone asking for prayer. Many would call her on the phone and she would stop whatever she was doing to pray with them. It was her heart's desire to see everyone call on God for salvation and make heaven their eternal home.

Other than her parents and husband she is preceded in death by her sisters, Irene Roberts, Mary Roberts, Helen Bowling and Priscilla "Siller" Stacy and brothers, William "Bill" Gross and Virgil Gross.  Survived by all five of her children: Robert Wayne Baker, Burkesville, KY.; John Anthony Baker, Stinnett, KY.; Vincent Baker & Rita, London, KY.; Angela Baker Sisk & Lloyd, Kingsport, TN.; Chaney Elizabeth Baker Caldwell & Gareth Ray, Burkesville, KY. Two beloved sisters: Virgie Gross Roberts, Stinnett, KY. and Carolyn Gross Begley, Stinnett, KY. A very special niece: Vanda Mosley Bowling, Viola, IL. and a very special nephew: Phillip Mosley, Stinnett, KY. Martha is also survived by 13 Grandchildren: Michael Wayne Baker & Deanna, Margaret Ann Baker Asher, Jessica Martha Baker Burton & Dean, David Keith Baker, Trenton Wayne Baker  & Jessica,  Amy Baker Lewis & Justin, Sabrina Baker Thompson & John, Rebecca Baker Parsons, Clinton Douglas Napier, Lezley Ann Napier Mullins & Brian, Gareth Anson Caldwell & Sandy, John Stanson Caldwell & Jennifer. Many great-grandchildren, three great- great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends, brothers and sisters in Christ and all the students she was honored to teach.

Special appreciation and thanks to Tammy Taylor, Shayla Crawford, and Kezley Rogers for their above and beyond love and care with Gentiva Hospice.

Place of service: Walker Funeral Home Date and time: Tuesday, December 10th, 2024. Family: 10:00 AM Viewing: 11:00 AM Funeral Service: 1:00 PM 

Place of Interment: Baker Cemetery, Essie, KY 

Pallbearers: Family and Friends 

Family Officiating Ministers: Geoffrey Roberts and Mickey Roberts 

Special singing: Bonita Leddington and Christina Morgan Roberts