Reverend H. Eugene Baker

The Rev. H. Eugene Baker, retired pastor of the Virginia Conference United Methodist denomination passed into eternity on February 23. Mr. Baker was born March 21, 1933 in Needmore, West Virginia. He was the son of the late Nelson H. and Sylvia E. Bott Baker. Eugene graduated from James Wood High School, class of 1953, and graduated from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, class of 1957. He graduated in 1961 from the United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, where Eugene served as part time chaplain to the Miami Valley Hospital during his 4 years as a student.

Rev. Baker married Sandra Jean Whittaker on June 10, 1956 at the First Evangelical United Brethren Church on Braddock St., which became First United Methodist Church in 1968. He is survived by his wife of 56 ½ years, two daughters, Kendra Jean Sours of Winchester and Andrea Jean Clark of Fairfax Station, two sons-in-law, Dicky Sours and Steven Clark, one granddaughter, Chastity Dawn Sours and a great grandchild, Sean Christopher, three step grandchildren, Brenda Clark, Anna Clark, and Justin Clark.

He was an ordained elder of the Evangelical United Brethren denomination that joined the Methodist denomination in 1968 to become known as the United Methodist denomination. He served pastorates of the Churchville Charge (RUB) on the Staunton District; Manassas (EUB) on the Alexandria District; Reliance and Ridings Chapel (EUB) of Winchester District; Lacey Springs (UMC) of Harrisonburg district; associate pastor of Reveille (UMC) in Richmond; Luray (UMC) on Harrisonburg District; Marsh Memorial (UMC) and Moneta’s Bethlehem (UMC), both in the Lynchburg District and his last pastorate was the Market Street (UMC) on the Winchester District, serving 8 years prior to his June 1997 retirement, having served a total of 41.74 total years in the ministry.

Rev. Baker served on different boards of the various districts he served, as well as served on various boards of the Virginia Conference United Methodist, having served as Chair of the Winchester District Committee of the Ordained Ministry, as well as served on the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Virginia Conference and mentored several men and women who became clergy.

Family will gather from 4:00 – 6:00 PM to receive friends on Tuesday at the Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel, on Route 50 West. Mrs. Voyne Omps was the organist for Rev. and Mrs. Baker’s wedding. A private graveside service for his immediate family will be conducted by the Winchester District Superintendent Larry Thompson. A Memorial Service will be held at a time to be announced at the Market Street UMC, 131 S. Cameron Street where he served seven years prior to his retirement. The Winchester District Superintendent, Dr. Larry Thompson, the Rev. Clyde Nelson, pastor of Market Street, and one of his mentors, the Rev. Steve Melester will lead the service. Rev. Baker requested that both clergy and their spouse sit together as a “body of servant partners” as he truly believed he and Sandra were partners together in the ministry. He kept his Charge Conference credentials at the First United Methodist Church where he attended as a child, received the calling for the ministry and married. Memorials may be sent to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) of the denomination at Virginia Annual Conference, P.O. Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058.