Marion O'Larry Barker

Obituary

Marion O’Larry Baker was born May 25, 1942, the son of John Baker Madison, FL, Wynemia Elouise Siplin and Isaac Siplin of Tampa, FL.

            Mr. Baker was educated in the elementary and secondary schools of Hillsborough County, Florida, and graduated with musical honors from Howard W. Blake Senior High School. He attended Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana and graduated from Wilberforce University in Ohio with a Bachelor in Music Education. Post graduate studies for the Master of Education were completed at Lawrence University. During his university matriculation. Mr. Baker was a featured vocalist, pianist, student music director, and conductor.  Marion was employed for 43 years with the Fall River Public Schools, Fall River, MA.

From childhood, music was his source of special communication and motivation. Endowed with the gift of song and harmonious interpretation, he studied all genre of music. He lived with a lifelong certainty that music was for him a Purposeful Calling. Receiving Christ at an early age, he declared his profession of faith and united with Greater Bethel Baptist Church, Tampa, FL. For the remainder of his life, Mr. Baker served faithfully in churches within the communities in which he lived.

For more than four decades as a music teacher, he devoted himself primarily to sharing the discipline, influence, and promise of music with his cherished colleagues and students. In the later part of his life, Mr. Baker succumbed to poor health which required special medical care. Nevertheless, his appreciation of the universal language of music and dedication to his students was never diminished. Throughout his professional career and life, he fervently supported the precept that the study of music greatly enhanced humanity and provided pathways to learning for all students. 

Mr. Baker especially loved sharing music that fostered a faithful and communal relationship with God. Through leadership efforts with community and church choirs, his vocation and Divine mission was achieved. Now having completed the Full Score of his life, he ascends to a Heavenly Chorus to make a joyful noise evermore, unto the Lord April 19, 2017 and is now present with the Lord.   Marion will also join with his parents: John Baker,  Wynemia Elouise Siplin and Isaac Siplin; Harold D. Wright (Brother), Tallahassee, FL. His Stepbrothers Troy, Jacksonville, FL; Reed, Isaac, Willie (Emma), Wallace (Mildred) of Tampa, FL and John Siplin, Bradenton, FL; Stepsisters Nancy and Agnes Siplin, Bradenton, FL and Willie Mae Jenkins, Miami, FL and Nephews Sol Jenkins, Miami, FL and Carlton Keith Siplin, Tampa, FL. He had a Heavenly Host of other Adored Witnesses.

Rejoicing in his purposeful life are Sisters Rhoda O. Shirley (Vilmore E. Shirley) Gainesville, FL, Sister-in-Law Rita J. Lovitt, Tampa, FL; Nephews Michael D. Wright, Sr., St. Petersburg, FL, Gregory C. Wright, Tampa, and Christopher J. Wright, Tallahassee, FL. Aunt Cora Fleming and Cousins Clyde Fleming, Miami, FL, Dr. Lannie Pryor Brown, Snellville, GA, David Pryor (Macy), Nashville, TN, Dr. Wanda Wilson, Charlotte, NC, Joyce Ann Wright-Wilson, (Rev. Ralph Wilson) Madison, FL; Nieces Rosa Lee Ryles, Miami, FL. Maxine Alston, and Agnes, Knight, Bradenton, Dr. Joretha McCall Capers, Ormond Beach, FL, Dr. Cedrita Siplin Reid, Powder Springs, GA, Vanessa Siplin Williams, Tampa, FL and Nephews Pastor Rodney Siplin and Anthony (Brenda) Siplin, Tampa, FL. Brother and Sister-in-Law Roderick and Elsie Shirley, Tampa, Sister-in-Law Sherry (Michael) Case, Royal Palm Beach, FL, Nieces: Nicole Dionne Pugh, Philadelphia, PA, Lora (Ovid) Valentin, Grand Nieces Gia Loren and Lexi Leighton Valentin and Grand Nephew Kash Everett Valentin, Oak Brook, IL; Christian Brother Joseph Dias, Jr., Warren, RI; Christian Sister Felicia Evans, Tampa, FL and many other loving Family Members, Friends, Students, and Christians Brothers and Sisters.

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