Mary Elizabeth Baker (nee Rice) Surrounded by her family, she joined her loved ones in Heaven on March 25, 2015 at 95 years old. She was born in Madison County, North Carolina on February 23, 1920 to Diora Burnett Rice and Jerry A. Rice. Mary and her younger brother by 18 months, Dr. Jerry A. Rice, Jr., grew up together in Madison County, NC in the heart of the Smokey Mountains. It was Prohibition. Their grandfather, Sheriff Mac Burnett, and their father, Deputy Jerry Rice, often pursued the Bootleggers of the County. Their mother Diora, possibly the best biscuit maker south of the Mason Dixon Line, fed all of them - including the prisoners. Mary graduated from high school in 1938. Her favorite memory that year was when she went to the premier opening of a movie called "Gone With the Wind". Indeed, it remained her favorite movie forever. After high school Mary attended and graduated from Cecil's Business College in Ashville. She would regal how after college her proficient typing and shorthand skills landed her an impressive job, in charge of the U.S. Draft Board during WWII. She was the fancy of many a young soldier that she inducted into Service, but only one soldier caught her eye - Corbett A. Baker. They briefly "courted" before he left for war. It was 3 years before they saw each other again. Their love letters to each other during this separation were countless. When Corbett came home, they soon "ran off" to South Carolina and were married. When the war ended, the newlyweds moved "up north" as did many from the south. They forged their lives together for over 59 years. But they never stopped missing their mountains back home, and somehow never lost their southern accents. Their journey together joyously celebrated the births of 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren with two more on the way. Corbett has resided in Heaven since July 9, 2003. Mary was the truest definition of a "lady". She was the epitome of southern hospitality, an amazing cook, and she never met a "sweet" she didn't like. The same was true with people, she loved everyone. If you walked through her front door, you were going to eat something! But for Mary her greatest accomplishment was her family. She sent that message often, when she would grab and squeeze a loved one's hand, while looking straight into their eyes and saying, "I am just so proud of you!" Mary recently celebrated her 95th birthday and her zest for life continued. At her party, she joyfully exclaimed numerous times, "I'm 29 and holdin'!!!" Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Corbett. She is survived by her children; Daniel (Carol) Baker, Gary (Linda) Baker, Sheila (Matt Kulig) Baker, and Sandra (Larry) Russette. Also survived by grandchildren; Tonya, Alicia, Michael, Matthew, Jenni, Heidi, Jesse, Amie, Ashley and Mikey and great-grandchildren; Brennan, Ethan, Whitney, Martina, Kerrie, Luke, Stella, Corbett, Alma, Carmella, Martina and Karrie as well as her sister; Sheila Rice (Tony) Wu. Member of Beacon Baptist Church, Taylor, MI. Funeral Service Friday, March 27, 2015, 10:00am at the Taylor Chapel of the Howe-Peterson Funeral Home, 9800 S. Telegraph Road. Visitation Thursday, 3:00pm-8:00pm. Entombment at Michigan Memorial Park, Flat Rock.