Desta Vandiver Baker

View Funeral Webcast Our beloved Desta Marie Baker, age 88, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, October 31, 2022. She was a blessing to all she encountered, and she dedicated her life to serving God and the principles of Christian faith by serving others with her kindness and prayers for so many. She was born on December 28, 1933 in Miami, FL to the late Lora Belle Fray Vandiver and Edgar Bishop Vandiver. Desta was married to the love of her life, Dewey Allen Baker, on 12/21/1957, and they shared 64 happy years together as they built a wonderful life together building on one another’s strengths. She earned her BS degree from the University of Missouri and put her degree to work in the fields of aeronautical engineering and tax preparation, working also as a census taker. She was a dedicated homemaker. Throughout Desta’s lifetime she resided in different places including Springfield, MO, Irving, TX, Houston, TX, Calgary Alberta, Richardson, TX, Kennett, MO and her final home in Charlotte, NC. Desta had a great passion for being a prayer warrior for many people, but she especially lavished her loving prayers on her beloved family and on missionaries. She and her husband also had a great passion for travel, and they shared many adventures together traveling to Germany, Israel, the Grand Canyon, Alaska, and Hawaii. Desta also enjoyed reading, watching classic movies, playing the piano, visiting gardens and going out to eat. She was a Christ follower, loving wife and mother, grandmother and a genuine and thoughtful gift giver. Desta also loved her church, The Hub Community Church, in Matthews, NC. She was a member of the Red Hat Club and the Christian Women’s Club where she enjoyed her time spent with other woman in these organizations to celebrate and support one another in every stage of life. Desta hosted and taught Bible based discipleship courses for women for a number of years in her home. Desta is survived by her devoted husband, Dewey Allen Baker, her children Sharon Bancroft (Gary), Laura Richmeier, John Baker (Janet), her grandchildren, Wesley Richmeier, Rachel Baker, David Baker, Justin Bancroft and Joshua Bancroft, and her brother E. B. Vandiver III. She was preceded in death by her grandson Wyatt Richmeier and her brother Baxton Vandiver. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Powell Funeral Chapel in Kennett. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. and continue until the time of service. Burial will be in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Kennett. Powell Funeral & Cremation Services, Kennett is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the following organizations: Smith, Laura – 27287 at United World Mission - https://uwm.org/give/ Or https://www.wycliffe.org/