Mr. Grover Baker, a lifelong resident of East Roanoke and a quiet pillar of one of its most historic families, entered eternal rest on Tuesday evening, December 30, 2025, at his residence, surrounded by the familiarity of the home and the community he loved. He was 84 years old.

In Loving Memory Of Mr. Grover Baker

Mr. Grover Baker, a lifelong resident of East Roanoke and a quiet pillar of one of its most historic families, entered eternal rest on Tuesday evening, December 30, 2025, at his residence, surrounded by the familiarity of the home and the community he loved. He was 84 years old.

Born June 14, 1941, in Lafayette, Chambers County, Alabama, Grover’s life was deeply rooted in faith, family, and place. He was the son of the late Edna Sue Baker Parks and Charlie Johnson, and from his earliest days, his story was inseparable from the story of St. Paul Baptist Church in Roanoke — a church that was not merely attended by his family, but built upon their legacy.

His paternal family included his grandmother, Liza "Suge" Johnson Gray — a transplant from Inidiana —  and his grandfather, who is remembered by the nick-name "Flash" Gray.  Grover was raised in the home of his grandparents, Azner and Liller Baker, long-standing members and devoted supporters of St. Paul Baptist Church. Their home stood next door to the church itself, on land the family helped make sacred through their faith and sacrifice. It was this proximity — spiritual and physical — that shaped Grover’s life. From early childhood, he was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church, where his membership endured faithfully for all 84 years of his life.

Growing up in the historic "Hill City" neighborhood on Roanoke's west side during the 1940s and 50s, Grover was raised alongside his elder cousin — Evelyn Baker, whom he called his "big sister," and siblings: Patricia, the middle child, and Jerome Johnson, the youngest — under the steady guidance of his mother and grandparents. His early education included attendance at Uthermal Community School, in the Rehope Community, then St. Paul Baptist Church School, and later the Randolph County Training School.  These institutions shaped generations of Black youth during segregation and beyond. 

A man of diligence rather than display, Grover began working at an early age, first delivering The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for Billy Thompson, as a young man.  His adult life was marked by steady, honest labor — the kind that sustains families and communities without fanfare. Over the years, he worked for Martin Container in Atlanta; and later he worked alongside his father-in-law, the late William Winston, a skilled plasterer. He later held positions at Randolph County Hospital, and Traylor Nursing Home, before continuing his industrial career at Handley Textile Mills, Master Door Company, JL & M Manufacturing, and Franklin Aluminum in Franklin, GA, where he ultimately retired.

Shortly after marrying his beloved wife, Mrs. Jeanette Winston Baker, on September 22, 1959, in 1960 Grover answered the call to serve his country, entering the United States Army. His service reflected the same quiet sense of duty that defined his civilian life.  He stayed in the service for two years.  

Grover was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend — steady, dependable, and deeply connected to those he loved. Grover was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents: Azner and Lillar Baker; Paternal Grandparents: "Flash" Johnson and Liza "Suge Johnson" Gray; his parents: Charlie Johnson and Edna Sue Baker Parks (Charlie); three paternal uncles: Frank, Earnest, and John Henry Johnson; three maternal uncles: Arthur, Skeal & Jack Baker; siblings: Patricia Baker; and Jerome Johnson;  one son, Jeffery Baker;  a special nephew, Trent Baker; two maternal aunts: Helen Bodie and Sarah Heath; and finally, a beloved granddaughter, Tuesday Goodwin of Woodland, AL.     

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 66 years, Mrs. Jeanette Winston Baker, a native and current resident of "Historic East Roanoke"; his children: Victor Winston (Sheryl) of Cleveland, OH; Wendell Winston (Kathy) of Fairburn, GA; Darrell Baker (Johnetta) of Augusta, GA; Lennard Baker (Joyce) of Sharpsburg, GA; Calvie Baker (Kelly) of Roanoke; and his only daughter, Lenice Baker Culberson (Sidney) also of Roanoke; two nieces, Candy Baker Rowland (Wayne) of Roanoke and Shinna Andrews of Carrollton, GA; one nephew, Dennis Baker of Roanoke; one sister, Leola Zachary Porter of Anniston, AL;  his brother-in-law, Donald Winston (Christine) of Fairburn, GA; two sisters-in-law Martha Thomas of Cleveland, OH; and Cynthia Bell of Roanoke; and a dear lifelong friend, Joe Freeman, of Atlanta, GA, whom Grover regarded as a brother; a special granddaughter, Tuesday Baker Blanchard (James), of Newnan, GA; twenty-two grandchildren; forty-three great grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; and finally a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbors and friends.

Grover’s life reminds us that history does not only live in books or monuments — it lives in families who stay, serve, worship, work, and endure. His legacy is etched into the soil of East Roanoke, the sanctuary of St. Paul Baptist Church, and the hearts of all who knew him.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Grover Baker, please visit our floral store.