Mr. James G. Baker

August 28, 1936 - September 20, 2021

Mr. James Gaston Baker, 85, of Worth County, Georgia, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 20, 2021 after an extended illness.The memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at Banks Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Lamar Robinson and Brother Ken Willis will officiate. Mr. Baker was born on August 28, 1936 in Northampton County, North Carolina to the late Clifton Rudolf Baker and Mary Francis Peele Baker. Mr. Baker graduated from Rich Square High School where he excelled in football. He moved to Georgia in 1957 where he worked for the Highway Department, owned a farm, worked as a mechanic, and worked as commercial contract driver for the United States Postal Service until he retired in 2013. Mr. Baker enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, welding, and watching college football. He loved spending time with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren.Mr. Baker was a member of New Bethel Freewill Baptist Church in Sylvester, Georgia. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Ella Kay Smith Baker of Worth County, Georgia; daughters, Gloria Baker Haggerty, Kim Baker, and Vanessa Baker Waid; daughter-in-law, Carla Baker Burran; sons-in-law; William Haggerty and David Waid; granddaughters, Jackie Stripling Slappey, Jessica Stripling Sweeney, Jaymie Stripling Martz, and Gillian Baker DellaPiana; grandsons-in-law, Zach Slappey, Kyle Sweeney, and Joseph DellaPiana; five great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Baker was proceeded in death by his son, James “Jay” Gaston Baker, Jr. ; sisters, Katherine Rebecca Baker Peele and Margaret Baker Colson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of Tift Area: 618 Central Avenue, Tifton, GA 31794. Please sign our online guest book at www.banksfh.com. Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements.