Mrs. Pauline “Polly” (Smither) Baker, age 97, of East Enterprise, Indiana, passed away at her home on August 2, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. Polly was born in Oldham County, Kentucky, on September 23, 1926, to Thomas Washington Smither and Golda (Long) Smither. Her family moved to Switzerland, County, Indiana, when she was a teenager, and she graduated from Patriot High School in 1944. On May 25, 1944, Polly married George Edward Baker; they shared 72 years of marriage, and were the proud parents of four. Polly worked as a homemaker most of her life, and was also employed at Allis-Chalmers in Norwood, Ohio, during World War II. After her mother’s death, Polly cared for her disabled brother, Warren, with capable kindness until his death in 1985. She kept in touch with her cousins in Kentucky and childhood friends, and took trips to visit them. She attended East Enterprise Wesleyan Church. Polly and George inspired many with their loving marriage, hard work, Christian faith, and good neighboring. They tended a beautiful vegetable garden together until they were both approaching ninety; Polly canned and froze abundant produce, and cooked food that was, to use a favorite word of hers, “UM-licious!” We especially remember her applesauce-smoother and sweeter than anyone else’s-and her green beans, which were indescribably good. Polly (Mom, Aunt Pauline, Granny, Mammaw) took a heartfelt interest in the joys and struggles of her many family members, and she made her home a haven of comfort, laughter, faith, and love for us all. Whether getting up in the night to soothe an illness, comforting a child whose dog had died, or remembering our favorite vegetables and cooking them when we came to visit, she always let us know we were loved. As her family grew-and sometimes grew apart in geography, ideas, and lifestyles-Polly steadfastly loved us all, and helped us love each other too. Polly enjoyed playing-and winning!-games with family, and got a satisfied gleam in her eye whenever she rolled a Yahtzee. Along with visits and phone calls from family, her love of reading, puzzles, and TV game shows brought her joy and eased her loneliness after George’s death in 2016. She was comforted and strengthened by her faith in Jesus, and looked forward to being reunited with George. Polly treasured her independence, and was glad to live in her own home until the end of her life.
Polly will be remembered and dearly missed by her son, Ron Baker, and Ron’s wife, Pat, of East Enterprise, IN; her daughter, Reta Carter, and Reta’s husband, Russell, of Cannelton, IN; her daughter, Glenda Breeden, and Glenda’s husband, Bill, of Spencer, IN; her son, Danny Baker, and Danny’s wife, Karen, of Carmel, IN; her nephew, Eddie Smither, and Eddie’s wife, Linda, of Aurora, IN; her niece, Marilyn Smith, and Marilyn’s husband, Bob, of Florence, KY; her nieces Elizabeth (Sue) Wilbers, and Helena Cline-David; her nephew, Charles MacCrander; her grandchildren, Jennifer, Deron, LaVonne, Nick, Denise, Dietrich, Tony, Eric, Heather, Heidi, and Kayla, and their spouses and partners; her great-grandchildren, Aubbrey, Kristian, Kody, Levi, Kyatalin, Dawson, Gracie, Glen, Sullivan, Savannah, Sutton, Soren, Lev, Anya, Lola, Cedar, Shiloh, Letty, Hazel, and Reed; and her great-great-grandchildren, Eliza and Marshall.
Polly was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Washington Smither and Golda (Long) Smither; her brothers, Lawrence Smither and Warren J. Smither; and her husband, George E. Baker.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 7, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Interment will follow in the Rising Sun New Cemetery, Rising Sun, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon’s International Memorial Bible Program or to Norton King’s Daughters’ Hospice in Madison, Indiana, who have the family’s lasting gratitude for their care and kindness. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com