Vaneta Jo Baker

Vaneta “Jo” Baker, 82, of Cobden, died Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau after an extended illness. 

She was born on Feb. 26, 1938, in Mill Creek, the daughter of George “Doc” and Sylvia “Sib” Dodson Brown. 

She grew up at their business, Brown’s Grocery Store, and attended the Lutheran Church in Mill Creek. She went to grade school in Mill Creek and graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School.

She married Robert Pecord and they had two children, Kim and Gaynes. She later married Rolla Baker in 1977, and they had many years together. They were avid car enthusiasts and belonged to Southern Illinois Autos Unlimited Car Club.

She was a beautician in the area for several years. She then went to work at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center as a tech. She retired from there.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Sylvia; and her husband, Rolla.

She is survived by her daughter, Kim Collins of Cobden; son Gaynes (Sandy) Pecord of Cobden; six grandchildren, Lacey (Ryan) Turner, Ashley and Brittany Crawford, and Jacob, Gabriel and Elijah Pecord; great-grandchildren Rollin, Kayden, Reece and Rory Turner and Addison Sneed; and special niece Jama (Robert) Batson. 

She was loved by many other family members and close friends. She will be greatly missed by Cletis Baker, the cat. 

Funeral services were at noon Saturday, Jan. 30, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with Pastor Ed Falgout officiating. Interment was in the Cobden Cemetery. 

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.