Obituary of Ernest Ray Baker

Ernest Ray Baker went to a perpetual sleep on May 13, 2018. His sudden departure from our midst is beyond simple understanding. Family and friends, here and in the Philippines, will greatly miss his earthly presence. But without doubt, his godly spirit will live on in their hearts. Ernest was born on January 25, 1976 in Enterprise, Alabama. He grew up in Elba, Alabama and later settled in Pensacola, Florida. His boyhood ambition of serving his country was realized when he joined the United States Marine Corps right after high school in 1995 and continued to serve with distinction until 2004. His honorable military service involved several tours overseas ashore and onboard combatant ships including deployment to Kosovo, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Indeed, speedy promotions with numerous awards, commendations, and recognitions defined his outstanding military service. His last duty was at the Naval Air Technical Training Center, Pensacola as an instructor. Although Ernest possessed the power of intellect (graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Troy University) he was better known as a man of great generosity - personally and materially. His initial work as a Registered Nurse was at the VA Hospital, Gainesville where he took care of his fellow service members. He was not one who would deny his time or his possession to anybody who might be in need. He was truly kind in heart and mind. Above all, Ernest was a loving man. He dutifully fulfilled his role as a husband, as a son, as a brother, as an uncle and even as a best friend. At the end, his most fervent wish was to be a real father. Life did not grant him that wish. Nevertheless, he will be remembered with all of the great attributes of one who could have been. Ernest was preceded in death by his grandmother, Madge Edge (Elba, Alabama) and Uncle Timothy Edge (Niceville, Florida). He is survived by his faithful wife, Tiffany; mother, Zenobia; father, Thomas; brother, Trent; sister-in-law, Francie; nephew, Bruce; father-in-law, Roland; mother-in-law, Lelet; sister-in-law Nicole; nieces, Sophia and Olivia and his best friend David. Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 am on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at St. John Catholic Church, 303 South Navy Boulevard, Pensacola, Florida. Interment will follow at 11:30 am at Barrancas National Cemetery. The Procession will meet at 10:45 am at Olive Baptist Church- Warrington Campus, 103 West Winthrop Avenue.