Ronald Lee “Ronnie” Baker

Ronald Lee “Ronnie” Baker, son of Raymond and Cremora Freeman Baker, was born Oct. 5, 1947 in Mansfield, and departed this life on Nov. 25, 2020 at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, at the age of 73 years, 1 month and 18 days. On Aug. 12, 2007, he was united in marriage to Evelyn (Adamson) and they have shared the last 13 years together.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Cremora Baker. Ronnie is survived his wife, Evelyn, of the home; children, Rona (Baker) Mainprize and husband, Dr. Keith Mainprize, of Springfield; Tassie Ellis and husband, Rance, of Mansfield; Jacqulyn, of Mansfield; Michelle, of Rogersville; Melissa, of Mountain Grove; and Randy, of Minot, S.D.; sister, Loreta ‘Pat’ Dennis, of Mansfield; nephews, Jeff Dennis and wife, Holly, of Ohio, and Stan Dennis and wife, Mandy, of Texas; 21 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; a host of other relatives and a multitude of friends. He lived almost all his life in Mansfield, where he graduated from Mansfield High School in the Class of 1965. He gave his life to the Lord at an early age and had been a minister of the gospel for over 55 years. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling the world and ministering in foreign countries including Haiti, Mexico, Peru, China, Malaysia and Canada to mention a few. He pastored several churches, but Mansfield was always his home.  He will always be remembered as a man of faith and was used by God for many signs and wonders. His passion in life was to serve God and win the lost. In his spare time, he loved to hunt, and fish and no crappie was ever safe. Ronnie was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and a truly caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and although we were not ready to give him up, we know that he is with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and nothing gets any better than that. Services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 at Holman-Howe Chapel in Mansfield with Dr. Phil Rich and Dr. Mike Brown. Recorded musical selections included “I Can Only Imagine,” “There was Jesus,” “Don’t Cry for Me,” “Dancing in the Sky” and “You’re going to be OK.” There will be another memorial service at a later date.