Mother Cora Lee Baker

Mother Cora Lee Baker, of Rowland NC, transitioned from this earthly life to her heavenly home on July 2, 2023. Mother Baker lived to be 100 years old and served as a blessing of wisdom, grace and strength; we will miss her kind loving spirit as we submit to the will of God. Our prayers are extended to her family, church family and many friends. Services have been entrusted to Colvin Funeral Home and Cremations in Lumberton, North Carolina. Mother Cora Lee Leach Baker, affectionately known as “Ma Lee”, was born April 9, 1923 to the late Rev. George Harry Leach and Margaret McNeil Leach Gibbins in Dillon, SC. Mother Baker departed this life July 2, 2023 after living her fulfilled prayer of 100 years of life. Mother Lee was raised in Hamer, SC by her parents and was reared in a loving family with four brothers: Perry Leach, Barry Leach, Tuck Leach and George Leach, and one sister: Maggie Leach Manning, who all preceded her in death. Mother Lee gave her life to Christ at an early at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Hamer, SC and later joined Faith Lighthouse Apostolic Holiness Church in 1962 under the leadership of Pastor Minnie Jones. She maintained many leadership roles in the church until her health began to decline. Mother Lee exemplified the meaning of it takes a village to raise a child. She was united in holy matrimony with the late Jim A. Baker, and the two of them raised twelve children that has extended to a rich legacy of five generations. Mother Lee had a hand directly and indirectly in raising majority of the people in the Rowland community. Her impartation of love and wisdom is embedded in the hearts of many and will forever be cherished. Mother Lee worked to support her family at jobs in Long Island, NY, High Point, NC, and finally at the Converse Plants in Robeson County where she retired. Mother Lee was preceded in death by her late husband, Jim A. Baker, four children, Neil Baker, Lizzie Baker, Eva Mae Baker, and William C. Bridges. She leaves to cherish her most fond memories: three daughters, Mary Lee (James) Gordon and Eva Lois Thompson, both of Rowland, NC, and Dora (Alvin) McCallum of Fayetteville, NC; five sons, James Baker, Jim (Odessa) Baker, Jr., George (Barbara) Baker, all of Rowland, NC, Earl (Darlene) Baker of Laurinburg, NC, and Frankie Baker of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; 50 grandchildren, 115 great-grandchildren, 64 great-great grandchildren, 17 great-great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, church family, other relatives and friends.

Mother Cora Lee Baker

April 9, 1923 - July 2, 2023