MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR DEACON HOOVER D. BAKER SR.
WHEREAS, God in his infinite wisdom has called Deacon Hoover D. Baker Sr., most beloved citizen, to his eternal reward on October 27, 2016; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed body has been informed of his passing by the Honorable Toni L. Foulkes, Alderman of the 16lh Ward; and
WHEREAS, Deacon Hoover D. Baker Sr. was born on May 22, 1931, in Okolona, Mississippi, to the late Willie and Lela Miller Baker; and
WHEREAS, Hoover accepted Christ at an early age, and was baptized at Union Baptist Church. He graduated from Shannon High School and later served in the United States Army as a medic during the Korean War for two and a half years; and
WHEREAS, He married the late Ruby Gaines Baker, to this wonderful union, five children were born. He later found love after the death of his first wife, and married Reathea Simmons Baker; and
WHEREAS, Hoover moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he joined Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Bishop W. M. Roberts. He then served under the leadership of Pastor Cleveland Wardlow Jr., and remained a faithful member of the church for over sixty-six years. He was also on the Church Board of Trustees and served as a faithful Deacon until his passing; and
WHEREAS, He worked for Campbell's Soup Company for thirty-eight years, later moving on the U.S. Post Office while he operated a business; and
WHEREAS, Hoover leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife Reathea; daughters, Ruby (Robert Watson), Esther, Cynthia (Leon Neyland) and Salene (Miles Hunter); son, Hoover Jr.; twenty-two grandchildren; thirty-four great grandchildren; seven great great grandchildren; special nephew, Hardis; godchildren, Denise, Lynn, and Janelle; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby; son, Cecil; grandson, Larry, great-grandsons, Cameron and Tre'Von; brothers, Alex, Woodrow, Fan and Willie; and sisters, Josephine, Dorene and Clynell; and
WHEREAS, Hoover touched the lives of all who knew him, leaving a legacy of love, determination, and dedication to God. He will be deeply missed, but his memory lives on in those who knew him; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-fifth day of January, 2017, do hereby extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Deacon Hoover D. Baker Sr.; and
Alderman, 16lh Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution are presented to the family of Deacon Hoover D. Baker Sr. as a sign of our honor, gratitude, and respect.