BAKER, IRENE BERNICE SOBODOSKI
Died 19 Apr 2009
BAKER, IRENE B. - age 84, of Huntsville, TN, died April 19, 2009, in Knoxville. She was of the Catholic faith. Irene proudly served her country in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a veteran of World War II. Irene was a driving force behind establishment of the Scott County Historical Society, chartered in 1984, and was its first and only president to date. She was instrumental in acquiring the century-old Doisy House in Huntsville as a historical museum of sorts, and later personally guaranteed a loan to build the SCHS Archives Building, where the work of the Society goes on. Under her direction, the Society has acquired and published more than 85 books on the history of Scott County and its families, and she has helped innumerable people research their heritage. For more than 25 years she has devoted her life to preserving the history of Scott County, and until a sudden illness six weeks ago, Irene still spent several mornings each week working at the Archives. Irene also was Scott County Historian and Archivist for many years. She was born Irene Bernice Sobodoski on September 9, 1924, in Detroit, Mich. A first-generation American, Irene was the daughter of Josephine Podloski Sobodoski and Frank Sobodoski, who had immigrated from Poland to the United States as children. Her parents proudly embraced their adopted country and instilled in their two daughters, Irene and Bertha, a deep love for America and its opportunities. Both Frank and Josephine were proud to become American citizens as young adults. Frank volunteered and served his country in the military during World War I. Josephine was a seamstress and upholsterer, and although Frank never learned to read or write English, he was a very successful businessman and operated his own tool and die shop. Irene worked for her father while she was in high school and for a few years after. She later worked for Fischer Body and Chrysler Corporation. She met her future husband, James Toomey (J.T.) Baker, in Detroit and they were married in Las Vegas, Nev. They lived in Canoga Park, Calif., for several years and worked in the aerospace industry during its peak during the late 1960s. After that industry had a downturn, she and J.T. moved to Huntsville, TN, where he helped establish the Huntsville Utility District and was its manager until shortly before his death in 1994. Irene helped set up the HUD records and was clerk for the Town of Huntsville. She had a long career with the Tennessee Department of Human Resources in Huntsville and was a supervisor when she retired in 1994. In addition to her parents, Frank and Josephine Sobodoski, Irene was preceded in death by her husband, James T. Baker; one sister, Bertha Lindsay; and a long-time friend, Paul W. Phillips. She is survived by a cousin, Doreen Cherryhomes of Detroit, Mich., and other cousins in Europe. Surviving relatives from the Baker family include J.T.'s sister, Elizabeth Vaughn and husband, William, of Greeneville, TN; and cousin, Sen. Howard H. Baker and his wife, Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker of Huntsville. Irene will be missed by her many longtime friends. Gathering of friends will be Wednesday afternoon, 2 p.m., at the Huntsville Presbyterian Church. Graveside service will follow at 3 p.m. at the Mossop Cemetery in Huntsville, TN. Rev. Martha Anne Fairchild will preside. Pallbearers will be her close friends and co-workers: Paul Roy, Bruce Butler, Allen McDonald, L.B. Crabtree, Denny Chambers and Bobby West. Jones and Son Funeral Home, Oneida, is in charge of arrangements
Obit printed in the Knoxville News Sentinel
Died 19 Apr 2009
BAKER, IRENE B. - age 84, of Huntsville, TN, died April 19, 2009, in Knoxville. She was of the Catholic faith. Irene proudly served her country in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a veteran of World War II. Irene was a driving force behind establishment of the Scott County Historical Society, chartered in 1984, and was its first and only president to date. She was instrumental in acquiring the century-old Doisy House in Huntsville as a historical museum of sorts, and later personally guaranteed a loan to build the SCHS Archives Building, where the work of the Society goes on. Under her direction, the Society has acquired and published more than 85 books on the history of Scott County and its families, and she has helped innumerable people research their heritage. For more than 25 years she has devoted her life to preserving the history of Scott County, and until a sudden illness six weeks ago, Irene still spent several mornings each week working at the Archives. Irene also was Scott County Historian and Archivist for many years. She was born Irene Bernice Sobodoski on September 9, 1924, in Detroit, Mich. A first-generation American, Irene was the daughter of Josephine Podloski Sobodoski and Frank Sobodoski, who had immigrated from Poland to the United States as children. Her parents proudly embraced their adopted country and instilled in their two daughters, Irene and Bertha, a deep love for America and its opportunities. Both Frank and Josephine were proud to become American citizens as young adults. Frank volunteered and served his country in the military during World War I. Josephine was a seamstress and upholsterer, and although Frank never learned to read or write English, he was a very successful businessman and operated his own tool and die shop. Irene worked for her father while she was in high school and for a few years after. She later worked for Fischer Body and Chrysler Corporation. She met her future husband, James Toomey (J.T.) Baker, in Detroit and they were married in Las Vegas, Nev. They lived in Canoga Park, Calif., for several years and worked in the aerospace industry during its peak during the late 1960s. After that industry had a downturn, she and J.T. moved to Huntsville, TN, where he helped establish the Huntsville Utility District and was its manager until shortly before his death in 1994. Irene helped set up the HUD records and was clerk for the Town of Huntsville. She had a long career with the Tennessee Department of Human Resources in Huntsville and was a supervisor when she retired in 1994. In addition to her parents, Frank and Josephine Sobodoski, Irene was preceded in death by her husband, James T. Baker; one sister, Bertha Lindsay; and a long-time friend, Paul W. Phillips. She is survived by a cousin, Doreen Cherryhomes of Detroit, Mich., and other cousins in Europe. Surviving relatives from the Baker family include J.T.'s sister, Elizabeth Vaughn and husband, William, of Greeneville, TN; and cousin, Sen. Howard H. Baker and his wife, Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker of Huntsville. Irene will be missed by her many longtime friends. Gathering of friends will be Wednesday afternoon, 2 p.m., at the Huntsville Presbyterian Church. Graveside service will follow at 3 p.m. at the Mossop Cemetery in Huntsville, TN. Rev. Martha Anne Fairchild will preside. Pallbearers will be her close friends and co-workers: Paul Roy, Bruce Butler, Allen McDonald, L.B. Crabtree, Denny Chambers and Bobby West. Jones and Son Funeral Home, Oneida, is in charge of arrangements
Obit printed in the Knoxville News Sentinel
BAKER, IRENE BERNICE SOBODOSKI
Died 19 Apr 2009
BAKER, IRENE B. - age 84, of Huntsville, TN, died April 19, 2009, in Knoxville. She was of the Catholic faith. Irene proudly served her country in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a veteran of World War II. Irene was a driving force behind establishment of the Scott County Historical Society, chartered in 1984, and was its first and only president to date. She was instrumental in acquiring the century-old Doisy House in Huntsville as a historical museum of sorts, and later personally guaranteed a loan to build the SCHS Archives Building, where the work of the Society goes on. Under her direction, the Society has acquired and published more than 85 books on the history of Scott County and its families, and she has helped innumerable people research their heritage. For more than 25 years she has devoted her life to preserving the history of Scott County, and until a sudden illness six weeks ago, Irene still spent several mornings each week working at the Archives. Irene also was Scott County Historian and Archivist for many years. She was born Irene Bernice Sobodoski on September 9, 1924, in Detroit, Mich. A first-generation American, Irene was the daughter of Josephine Podloski Sobodoski and Frank Sobodoski, who had immigrated from Poland to the United States as children. Her parents proudly embraced their adopted country and instilled in their two daughters, Irene and Bertha, a deep love for America and its opportunities. Both Frank and Josephine were proud to become American citizens as young adults. Frank volunteered and served his country in the military during World War I. Josephine was a seamstress and upholsterer, and although Frank never learned to read or write English, he was a very successful businessman and operated his own tool and die shop. Irene worked for her father while she was in high school and for a few years after. She later worked for Fischer Body and Chrysler Corporation. She met her future husband, James Toomey (J.T.) Baker, in Detroit and they were married in Las Vegas, Nev. They lived in Canoga Park, Calif., for several years and worked in the aerospace industry during its peak during the late 1960s. After that industry had a downturn, she and J.T. moved to Huntsville, TN, where he helped establish the Huntsville Utility District and was its manager until shortly before his death in 1994. Irene helped set up the HUD records and was clerk for the Town of Huntsville. She had a long career with the Tennessee Department of Human Resources in Huntsville and was a supervisor when she retired in 1994. In addition to her parents, Frank and Josephine Sobodoski, Irene was preceded in death by her husband, James T. Baker; one sister, Bertha Lindsay; and a long-time friend, Paul W. Phillips. She is survived by a cousin, Doreen Cherryhomes of Detroit, Mich., and other cousins in Europe. Surviving relatives from the Baker family include J.T.'s sister, Elizabeth Vaughn and husband, William, of Greeneville, TN; and cousin, Sen. Howard H. Baker and his wife, Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker of Huntsville. Irene will be missed by her many longtime friends. Gathering of friends will be Wednesday afternoon, 2 p.m., at the Huntsville Presbyterian Church. Graveside service will follow at 3 p.m. at the Mossop Cemetery in Huntsville, TN. Rev. Martha Anne Fairchild will preside. Pallbearers will be her close friends and co-workers: Paul Roy, Bruce Butler, Allen McDonald, L.B. Crabtree, Denny Chambers and Bobby West. Jones and Son Funeral Home, Oneida, is in charge of arrangements
Obit printed in the Knoxville News Sentinel
Died 19 Apr 2009
BAKER, IRENE B. - age 84, of Huntsville, TN, died April 19, 2009, in Knoxville. She was of the Catholic faith. Irene proudly served her country in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a veteran of World War II. Irene was a driving force behind establishment of the Scott County Historical Society, chartered in 1984, and was its first and only president to date. She was instrumental in acquiring the century-old Doisy House in Huntsville as a historical museum of sorts, and later personally guaranteed a loan to build the SCHS Archives Building, where the work of the Society goes on. Under her direction, the Society has acquired and published more than 85 books on the history of Scott County and its families, and she has helped innumerable people research their heritage. For more than 25 years she has devoted her life to preserving the history of Scott County, and until a sudden illness six weeks ago, Irene still spent several mornings each week working at the Archives. Irene also was Scott County Historian and Archivist for many years. She was born Irene Bernice Sobodoski on September 9, 1924, in Detroit, Mich. A first-generation American, Irene was the daughter of Josephine Podloski Sobodoski and Frank Sobodoski, who had immigrated from Poland to the United States as children. Her parents proudly embraced their adopted country and instilled in their two daughters, Irene and Bertha, a deep love for America and its opportunities. Both Frank and Josephine were proud to become American citizens as young adults. Frank volunteered and served his country in the military during World War I. Josephine was a seamstress and upholsterer, and although Frank never learned to read or write English, he was a very successful businessman and operated his own tool and die shop. Irene worked for her father while she was in high school and for a few years after. She later worked for Fischer Body and Chrysler Corporation. She met her future husband, James Toomey (J.T.) Baker, in Detroit and they were married in Las Vegas, Nev. They lived in Canoga Park, Calif., for several years and worked in the aerospace industry during its peak during the late 1960s. After that industry had a downturn, she and J.T. moved to Huntsville, TN, where he helped establish the Huntsville Utility District and was its manager until shortly before his death in 1994. Irene helped set up the HUD records and was clerk for the Town of Huntsville. She had a long career with the Tennessee Department of Human Resources in Huntsville and was a supervisor when she retired in 1994. In addition to her parents, Frank and Josephine Sobodoski, Irene was preceded in death by her husband, James T. Baker; one sister, Bertha Lindsay; and a long-time friend, Paul W. Phillips. She is survived by a cousin, Doreen Cherryhomes of Detroit, Mich., and other cousins in Europe. Surviving relatives from the Baker family include J.T.'s sister, Elizabeth Vaughn and husband, William, of Greeneville, TN; and cousin, Sen. Howard H. Baker and his wife, Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker of Huntsville. Irene will be missed by her many longtime friends. Gathering of friends will be Wednesday afternoon, 2 p.m., at the Huntsville Presbyterian Church. Graveside service will follow at 3 p.m. at the Mossop Cemetery in Huntsville, TN. Rev. Martha Anne Fairchild will preside. Pallbearers will be her close friends and co-workers: Paul Roy, Bruce Butler, Allen McDonald, L.B. Crabtree, Denny Chambers and Bobby West. Jones and Son Funeral Home, Oneida, is in charge of arrangements
Obit printed in the Knoxville News Sentinel
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