Martha Jane (Swink) Baker of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life in Searcy on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at the age of 73. She was born February 15, 1948, in Leachville, Arkansas. She was the daughter of R. L. and Beatrice (Stanley) Swink.
She worked in retail at Mode O’ Day Dress Shop, Harold Morgan Furniture, and Ima’s Dress Shop where she was the manager for 11 years. In 1990, she began working at Jackson’s Funeral Home as a secretary until her retirement in 2008.
Her greatest joy and love was her family. She delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The joy was apparent on her face every time she spoke of her children and grandchildren. She was also a member of the Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband of forty-two years, Harville Leslie Baker, Jr.; three sisters, Jean Kaiser, Wanda Joyce “Pat” Bolar, and Julia “Diann” Pillow; two brothers-in-law, D’wynne Hinson, and Joe Selby.
She is survived by one son John Christopher Baker and wife, Joyce, of Jonesboro; one daughter, Leslie Ann (Baker) Altom and husband, Chris, of Newport; four sisters, Barbara Fears of Brownsville, Tennessee, Jo Stewart and husband, Pete, of Romance, Sue Ezekiel and husband, Jerry, of Brinkley, and Kathy Selby of Jonesboro; six grandchildren, Alex Altom and wife, Justine, Tyler Altom and wife, Tori, Sam Baker, Zach Altom and wife, Hannah, Sydney Baker and fiancé, Harlan, Jeff Jones and wife, Heather; five great-grandchildren, Brentley Altom, Conner Altom, Jude Altom, Hadley Jones, and Deacon Jones.
Friends may visit at the funeral home, Monday, January 31, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Jackson’s Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Dwight Turner officiating. Speakers will be Mr. Toby Selby and Mrs. Jan Jackson Maris. Interment will follow at Watson Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Alex Altom, Tyler Altom, Sam Baker, Zach Altom, Charlie Hinson, and Ron Scott. Honorary pallbearers will be David Hinson, Barry Hinson, Terry Hinson, Stacy Carter, and Doug Stewart.