Mrs. Ruth Cole Baker, affectionately known as "Granny Ruth" for those blessed to know her, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus and all the family members that have been waiting on her in heaven at the age of 93 on May 1, 2026 after a brief illness.

Granny Ruth was born November 10, 1932 in Sparta, Tennessee to the late Cecil Elbert and Maude Stoglin Cole. She was a homemaker and a devoted wife to her late husband Jake Baker who died July 10, 2006. Jake was a truck driver, and she traveled alongside him for several years in his iconic 1950 LJ Mack that was later converted into an RV in their retirement years. Together, they visited 48 states and made a memorable trip on the Alaskan Highway with a trip to the North Pole. She was a proud graduate of Cole's Chapel School. It was upon those school grounds where she ultimately made her home. Granny Ruth was the oldest member of Bethel Freewill Baptist Church. She will be fondly remembered for her love of the Lord, her husband, and her beloved family which included her children and their spouses who she loved as her own, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is also preceded in death by grandson Jakeup Choate; sons in law Cecil Young and Johnny Roberts; sister Betty Jo Davis and husband Barney; brothers Arnold Cole and wife Ruby and Cordell Cole.

Surviving family members include her four daughters  Donna Smith, Darlene Young, Doreen (Jack) Conley and Dina Baker

Grandchildren: Jimmy (Tammy) Howell, Michael (Ashley) Conley, Stephen Conley, Kristin (Kevin) Chadwick, Celene Young

Great grandchildren: Kayla Howell, Tyler Howell, Joy Conley, Jaydon Conley, Korbin Chadwick

A host of nieces, nephews, friends and church family also survive

Funeral services will be conducted 1:00pm Monday, May 4, 2026 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Elrod Cemetery. The family will receive friends after 11:00am Monday at Hunter Funeral Home. Corey Price and Avery Brown will officiate.

Jimmy Howell, Michael Conley, Stephen Conley, Tyler Howell, Jack Conley and Kevin Chadwick will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer is Royce Smith.