CARTERSVILLE, March 13 – Charlotte Page Irving Baker, 87, of Cartersville, died Saturday, March 10, 2012 after a short illness. Born at the Deanery in Cartersville, on July 17, 1924, she was the daughter of Lillie Violet Rhodes and Francis Deane Irving III.

Mrs. Baker graduated from Hamilton High School in 1941, and for two years attended Smithdeal Massey Business College in Richmond. She became the supportive devoted wife of “Bill” Baker in 1947, and worked in Charlottesville as a bookkeeper while he attended UVA.

Upon his graduation in 1951, they moved to Newport News and then Hampton where they raised three children. Mrs. Baker was a founding member of Northampton Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir, and was involved in helping ministries, besides working several years again as a bookkeeper for Glisson Masonry Corporation. Later, she and her husband became members of nearby Friends' Church. Subsequently, they both retired and returned to live near her childhood home in 1998, where they were active members of Oakwood Methodist Church.

She loved gardening, ceramics, handwork, and entertaining family and friends. She radiated love and thoughtfulness to all who knew her, leaving her family a great testimony of commitment, sacrifice, and perseverance under trial as she fought the disabling effects of strokes without complaint.

She is survived by her husband, William Royall Baker; three children, Sharon Swink (Gilbert) of Norfolk, Dwight Baker of Cartersville, and James Baker (Joy) of Los Alamos, New Mexico; brother, Francis Deane Irving IV; five granchildren, Gilbert (“Bert”) Swink IV, David Swink, Christopher Swink, Rachel Baker and Robert Baker; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Carleton Graham Irving.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 16 at Oakwood United Methodist Church, Cumberland County, where funeral services will be held on March 17 at 3 p.m. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Oakwood United Methodist Church, 1291 Columbia Road, Columbia, VA 23038.

Norman Funeral Home, Goochland, is assisting family.