To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Arkansas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 4/12/19 • Approved: 4/23/19 • Last Updated: 4/26/19 • R1264341-G1264340-S3
Verple Lea
Sept 26, 1928 - Aug 25, 2018
Thomas Eugene "Gene"
Sept 6, 1925 -
Married Jan 5, 1946
thecabin.net
Authorities confirmed a residence on Ed Lane, which sits off Highway 285, caught fire after being struck by lightening early Thursday.
According to an incident report, Faulkner County dispatchers were alerted at 3:07 a.m. of “a general fire alarm activation with no specific location” at a residence on Ed Lane, just outside of Greenbrier limits. At 3:19 a.m., it was confirmed the home was on fire and that “someone was still inside the residence.”
Deputy Brittany Harmon rushed to the scene and was met by a woman who said 93-year-old Thomas Baker was trapped inside the home.
At this point, the residence was halfway engulfed in flames. Harmon “took off towards the residence” where Ronald Baker told her he believed his father was still in the back bedroom.
Harmon busted through a window in an effort to find Thomas prior to the fire department arriving on scene. Just after she broke the window, two Greenbrier volunteer firefighters arrived on scene, the report states.
Firefighters were unable to find Thomas in the back bedroom and “attempted to go further inside the residence but were unable to make it past the bedroom door.”
Thomas was found lying about 15 feet from the front door around 5:10 a.m.
Faulkner County Coroner Jessica Thorn confirmed the Greenbrier man died of smoke and soot inhalation.
Several fire departments responded to the scene, Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Erinn Stone said, adding that the “fire was started due to lightening hitting the home from the storm early [Thursday] morning.”
″[The] Greenbrier Fire Department responded to the call as well as Centerville, Wooster and Damascus fire departments,” she said. “Greenbrier FD wanted to make sure to give a ‘thank you’ to those other departments for responding and helping on this call.”
Ronald told authorities he heard “what sounded like a loud boom” around 2:30-2:45 a.m. but that he “never got up to check on it.” Smoke detectors in the home began to sound around 3:15 a.m., he said, which is when he got up and realized the house was on fire.
Ronald was forced to climb through his bedroom window to escape the home and was unable to get to his father, according to the report.
--------------------------------------
Obituary
rollerfuneralhomes.com
Thomas Eugene "Gene" Baker, 93, of Greenbrier, AR, went to be with the Lord Thursday, April 4, 2019. He was born September 6, 1925 in Guy, AR to the late Ernest and Hester (Hartwick) Baker. Gene was also preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Verple Lea Baker; son-in-law, James Messer and grandson, Brian Messer.
Gene attended Greenbrier Church of Christ with his wife for many years. He devoted his life to his family and his bluegrass music. Gene also enjoyed woodworking and camping. He was known for his genuine kindness and nurturing nature. Gene was loved very much by his friends and family, who will dearly miss his big smile and warm hugs.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving family, son, Ron Baker, daughters, Loretta Messer and Sandy (Chuck) Bowman; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, sister, Polly Bridge, half-sisters and half-brothers; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be 2:00 pm, Sunday, April 7th at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Greenbrier with visitation one hour prior, interment to follow at Copperas Springs Cemetery in Guy.
--------------------------------
Obituary
rollerfuneralhomes.com
Verple L. Baker, 89, of Greenbrier, went to be with the Lord Saturday, August 25, 2018. She was born September 26, 1928 in Guy, Arkansas to the late Thurman Hooten and Irene Gotcher. Verple was a member of the Greenbrier Church of Christ; she enjoyed sewing. Verple is preceded in death by her parents, and brother, William T. Hooten.
She is survived by her husband of over 72 years, Gene Baker, son, Ron Baker of Greenbrier, daughters, Loretta Messer of Greenbrier and Sandra (Chuck) Bowman of Dallas, TX, 10 grandchildren, loads of great grandchildren, and many more family and friends.
Visitation will be Wednesday, August 29, 2018 from 6-8 PM at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Greenbrier. Funeral Service will be Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 10:00 AM at the Funeral Home with Burial following at Copperas Springs Cemetery in Guy.
Contributed on 4/12/19 by hawkinsdonna48
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 1264341