Ruby Mae Baker

	Ruby Mae Baker, 79, of Ava died at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 7, 2002 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro.
	Mrs. Baker was born Wednesday, March 1, 1922 in Carterville, the daughter of John and Gettie Colline (Walker) Burroughs. She married William C. Baker on December 7, 1978 in Hillsboro, Mo. He preceded her in death on Aug. 9, 1999.
	She was a retired telephone operator. She belonged to the Telephone Pioneers and was a member of the Apostolic Church in Ava.
	Survivors include two step-sons, Curtis Baker of Cutler and William Baker of Tilden; three step-daughters, Ida Krause of Sparta, Elizabeth Humphreys of Lenzburg and Cathy Scanlon of Freeburg; eight step-grandchildren; 16 step-great-grandchildren; three brothers, Robert Downs of Tamaroa, Wayne Downs of Du Quoin, and Milton Downs of Collinsville; four sisters, Rosie Allen of Ava, Bonnie Smith of Arkansas City, Kan.,Thelma Smith of DuQuoin and Viola Baker of Cutler; two half-brothers, Paul Burroughs and Bob Burroughs, both of Marion; and two sisters-in-law, Sharon Downs of Lively Grove and Lulu Belle Downs of Bethalto. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, a sister and two stepsons.  
	Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002 at the Apostolic Church of Ava with Rev. Charles E. Issler officiating. Burial was in the Coulterville City Cemetery, Coulterville. Friends called after 5 p.m. Wednesday at Wilsons Funeral Home in Ava and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.
	Memorials may be made to the Apostolic Church in Ava.

