Porter Lawayne Baker, 70, of McGehee, Arkansas passed away Thursday, March 3, 2022. He was born February 24, 1952 in Dermott, Arkansas to the late Raymond and Annie Porter Baker. Lawayne grew up in Tillar, AR. He went to schools at Tillar and graduated from Desha Central High School, where he played basketball, football, and met the love of his life, Donna. Lawayne worked at a couple of service stations, Westinghouse in Little Rock, farmed about 50 years on the family farm and was responsible for lawn care at several cemeteries and individual houses. He served three terms on the board of the Desha County Conservation League. Lawayne was a faithful member of the McGehee Church of Christ, where he served as a deacon and filled in as a song leader. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, loving people and good jokes, he enjoyed entertaining people, singing, camping, playing cards, and watching “black and gray” westerns on TV (Gunsmoke). He played many games of independent basketball and softball. Lawayne loved drag racing with Mike as his copilot.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his loving wife of 49 years, Donna Gilbert Baker of McGehee, AR ; son, Brad (Stacy) Baker of McGehee, AR; grandson, Gunnar Baker of McGehee, AR and brother, Byron “Butch” (Fay) Baker of Tillar, AR.
Visitation will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, March 5, 2022 at McGehee Church of Christ in McGehee, AR. Funeral service will follow at 2:00pm at the church with Rickey Eppes officiating. Burial will be held at Tillar Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brandon Baker, Justin Baker, Scott Allan Baker, Lloyd Baker, Justin Roberts and David Roberts. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McGehee Church of Christ, P.O. Box 93, McGehee, AR 71654.