MARTHA JANE SLATEN BAKER, age 89, died Sunday, December 19, 2021, at the Bertrand Nursing Center and Rehab Center.

Martha Jane was born in Wyatt, Missouri, on April 5, 1932, to the late Edgar Roy Slaten and Myrtle Kemp Slaten. The family later moved to Charleston, where Martha Jane graduated from Charleston High School in 1949.

On March 11, 1951, Martha Jane married Lloyd Allen Baker, who preceded her in death on July 15, 2016. Lloyd and Martha Jane worked together for many years at Johnnie's Drive Inn, providing memories for many of the people of Charleston.

Martha Jane loved being surrounded by family, and she loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren fiercely. Both the church and Martha Jane's faith were very important to her. She was an active member of First Baptist Church, Charleston, for many years until her health prevented her from attending. She courageously faced many years of health problems and is now going to celebrate Christmas with Jesus with a body that has been made whole.

Surviving are her children: Nancy Ponder of DesAllemand, LA, Kathy (Mike) Garrard of Charleston and Allen (Kathy) Baker of St. Anne, IL; four Grandchildren: Leia ( Ben) Milster of Luling, LA, Gina (William) Taylor of Clinton, MS, Jake (Margie) Garrard of Cape Girardeau, P.J. (Jess) Ponder of Madisonville, LA; two brothers: Gene Slaten and Kemp(Jane) Slaten both of Charleston; nine Great Grandchildren: Ellie, Levi, and Luke Milster;  Aleyna, Isaiah, and Noah Taylor, Phillip Ponder, Quinn and Katy Garrard.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; one grandson, Benjamin Ponder; one great granddaughter, Akyria Taylor; two brothers, Carlton Slaten and Hal Slaten; two sisters, Minnie S. Warren and Pauline S. Pinelle; two sisters in law, Frances Slaten and Ruth Slaten.

Visitation will be held at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston on Friday, December 31, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. until the Funeral hour at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Gerald Collier, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Bertrand, will officiate.

Interment will follow in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

Pallbearers will be Jake Garrard, P.J. Ponder, Ben Milster, William Taylor, Lee Baker, Lin Baker.

Memorial gifts may be given to the First Baptist Church Youth Group, P.O. Box 442, Charleston, MO 63834.