Virginia Baker

January 12, 1942 - April 21, 2023

Virginia Lynn Croom Baker, 81, of Kinston, was called to her heavenly home and reunited with her daughter on Friday, April 21, 2023.

Virginia was born on January 12, 1942, in Spartanburg, South Carolina to the late William Puryear Croom, III and Virginia Wolfe Croom.

Virginia was an active member in the Daughters of the Confederacy Chapter in Eastern North Carolina. She enjoyed researching family history, going to the beach, shopping as much as she could, and watching her grandchildren thrive in their accomplishments. There was nothing that made her beam with pride more than her family. Virginia was often called Jinx by her friends but her favorite title she held was Baw-Baw that her first grandson affectionately named her. Virginia worked at Lenoir Memorial Hospital for 43 years and with some of the best friends that were more like family. Virginia was credited with the decorating of the LMH Christmas Tree for over 40 years. She took great pride in this task and made sure every ornament was in the perfect spot and every bow was hung precisely.

Virginia is survived by her devoted husband of the home, Bennie Carson Baker; children, Susan Virginia Lloyd and companion, Darrell Lynn Griffin of Pink Hill, Sharon Baker Jones and Mitzi Baker of Kinston, Mary Margaret Herring and husband, Daniel Clifton Herring of La Grange; grandchildren, Taylor Holmes and wife, Rainey Crews Holmes of Kinston, Kelsey Virginia Holmes of Wilmington, Dylan Chase Herring, Jonah Grey Herring, Madelyn Grace Howard, Baker Anderson Herring all of La Grange, Noah Carson Yelverton,

Jason Lynn Moore, Jessica Jones Burton, Amanda Stocks Blomefield, and Dylan Lee Stocks all of Kinston; Great-Grandchild Wyatt Cameron Holmes of Kinston; special cousins, David Anderson Gray (HNX), Susan Gray Franklin of South Carolina. Special Friends, Sandra Sutton, Judy Heath, Paula Hinson, Vickie Phillips, Carla Monroe, and Sylvia Connor.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Jennifer Russell Johnson of La Grange; and brothers, William Puryear Croom, IV of Daytona Beach, Florida and Russell Anderson Croom of Pinellas Park, Florida.

A service of love and remembrance will be held on Tuesday April 25th at 6:00 p.m. at Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange with Pastor Ronnie Hobgood officiating. The family will receive friends following the service and other times at the home.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Judy, Keisha, and Colonial at Greendale Forest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Snow Hill for the care and assistance they provided in the last weeks.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.