Mary Ellen Baker–Black, 90, of Port Orange, Fla., and formerly of Terre Haute, passed away peacefully at her home Friday, Nov. 7, 2008. Born April 22, 1918, she was one of eight children of Clyde and Edna Carty of Terre Haute. Survivors include her husband, Perry O. Black; sons, Kenneth Baker and wife Mary of Tallahassee, Fla., and Harold Baker and wife Cindy of Winter Haven, Fla.; daughter Susan Baker; grandchildren, Brandon, Christian, Marissa Baker, and Duncan Smith; and sister, Velma Chapman. In addition to her family, her passions in life were her continuous service to her churches, the Boy Scouts of America, and her mission work in Haiti. A beautician by trade, some of her defining moments were her involvement and ministry as a youth and adult Sunday School teacher, and youth leader for First Baptist Church of Monon. She was a founding member of Monon Community Church, and was a member of First Baptist Church of South Daytona. A lifetime of involvement in scouting included state vice president for the God and Country Award for the Indiana Association of Baptists for Scouting, scout master of Handicapped Troop 148, board member for the National Board of Baptists for Scouting, and initiated the God and Country Award process in Central Florida Council Association of Baptists for Scouting in 1995. In 1978, she was the founder of the mission organization "Friends for Haiti." This organization built a church and school on Jolie Mountain, Haiti. The organization continues to maintain the facilities and ongoing operations for the ministry and teachers. She touched the lives of many and will always be remembered by thousands of friends and family for her involvement, compassion and faith. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday Nov. 15, 2008, at Roselawn Funeral Home, 7500 N. Clinton St. Services will be at noon.
This obituary was originally published in The Tribune Star.
Published online on Nov. 10, 2008 courtesy of The Tribune Star.