Glenn H. Baker

Posted on April 28, 2026

Glenn H. Baker passed away on April 26, 2026, at Arcadia Assisted Living in Pace, Fla., just 47 days short of his 100th birthday.

Brother Glenn was born on June 12, 1926, to Lawrence Thomas and Emma Tirey Baker in Mitchell, Ind.

He joined his brother and two sisters in a one-room schoolhouse that his dad had converted into a 3-bedroom home with a kitchen, a parlor and a bath.

He is survived by: two sons, Robert G. “Bob” Baker (Janet) of New Market, Ala., and William C. “Bill” Baker (Robyn) of Milton; two grandchildren, Faith Elizabeth Baker of Smyrna, Tenn., and James Robert Glenn Baker (Ashley) of Huntsville, Ala.; and six great-grandchildren, Aiden, Judah, Emma Grace, Sorin, Lucas and Secily.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; his spouses, Ola Mae Eeds Baker and Ella Mae Whiddon-Baker; his brother, Cecil; and two sisters, Katrina and Geneva.

Even 100 years ago, boys born in the Hoosier state developed an early love for basketball.

Glenn developed his skills and played basketball at Gas City High School in Indiana and Ouachita Baptist College in Arkansas.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Ouachita, he taught algebra at North Little Rock High School and was an assistant manager for a bank credit office for four years before answering his call to ministry and beginning post-graduate studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Glenn met Ola Mae Eeds on his third day on campus at Southwestern and soon told his brother that he “was going to marry that girl.”

Four months later, they had their first date and were married on Jan. 21, 1951.

During their seminary years, Glenn and Ola served two small churches in Ft. Worth before God’s call to Jacksonville.

That call to Woodstock Park Baptist Church (1952-54) in Jacksonville, began 62 years of continuous service in the Sunshine State, including Spencer Memorial, Tampa (1954-55); Lake Shore Baptist, Jacksonville (1955-62); First Baptist Church, Perry (1963-70); First Baptist Church, Milton (1970-82); Myrtle Grove Baptist, Pensacola (1982-89); and First Baptist, Perry (1989-2014).

Glenn and Ola were married for 57 years, until her death in 2008.

The following year, Glenn began an earnest appeal to God in prayer for a companion to temper his grief and join him in ministry.

God’s answer was Ella Mae Whiddon, who had served beside Glenn and Ola for many years.

The Lord’s choice became Glenn’s choice, and they were married on Oct. 3, 2009.

Glenn finally retired (third times a charm) on Dec. 31, 2014, at the age of 88.

Following Ella Mae’s death in 2024, Glenn left Perry for the last time, in this life, to be near Bill and Robyn in Milton.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church of Perry on Saturday, May 2. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m., followed by services at 11 a.m.

Burial will follow at Pineview Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Building Fund at First Baptist Church, Perry or Music Program at First Baptist Church, Milton.