Virginia Baker

Virginia Joyce Baker, age 82, passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at Tuscola County Medical Care Facility. She was born on August 31, 1928 in Mio to the late Ralph and Mary Lou (McCrea) Shotwell. Virginia came to Tuscola County as a child and attended high school in Caro. She was united in marriage to Norval Parsell Sr., and he died during WWII while serving in the armed forces. She then married Alvin Baker, and he also preceded her in death in 1981. She was employed at the Caro Regional Center as a resident care aide for approximately 15 years, and for a period of time lived in Tennessee until 1986 when she returned to Caro. She enjoyed arts and crafts, horses, as well as tending a huge garden. She was an avid fan of country music. In recent years she attended St. Paul Lutheran Church of Caro. She is survived by five children, Norval (Nancy) Parsell, Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Judith (Jim) Swoish of Frankenmuth, Daniel (Beth) Hernandez of Columbia, Tennessee, Tom (Vicky) Hernandez of Caro, and Pamela Brashier of Milan, Tennessee; nine grandchildren and nine great- grandchildren; a sister, Lorna (Lyle) Andrews of Caro; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Joyce Parsell; one granddaughter, Cassie Hernandez; and the remainder of her siblings. The funeral service will be held at the Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Tuesday April 19, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Cameron Steele officiating. Burial will be Hickory Island Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Collon Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at 1:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Virginia Baker family discretionary fund, c/o Tom Hernandez, 302 S. State St., Caro, MI 48723.