Numa Reid Baker

Reidsville, NC - Numa Reid Baker, Jr., 86, a native of Reidsville passed away at Hospice of Rockingham County on Monday, June 13, 2011. A Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, June 17 at Woodmont United Methodist Church in Reidsville with burial to follow in Greenview Cemetery. Numa was born May 21, 1925 in Reidsville and grew up on the “north side” of town. Numa was a patriot and was proud of his country. He left Reidsville at age 18 to serve in the Army Air Corps during WWII and to further his education at UNC-Chapel Hill where he earned a B.S. degree in Commerce. He returned to Reidsville to begin a career in public service as Reidsville’s City Manager and as County Manager of Rockingham County. Numa was very active in the Reidsville community. He was a charter member of Woodmont United Methodist Church where he held many leadership positions and participated as a member of several mission building teams sponsored by the church. Numa was an active member of the Reidsville Jaycees (past president, Boss of the Year), Reidsville High School Football Boosters (president), Reidsville United Way, Reidsville Rotary Club (past president, Paul Harris Fellow) and later in his life enjoyed the fellowship of the Rockingham County Beekeepers, Combat Airmen of WWII, and Woodmont Methodist men. Numa also served as president of the North Carolina City/County Management Association and was a member of the International City Managers Association. Though Numa had many accomplishments and accolades, his most endearing quality was an ability to make everyone smile. He was the instigator and the brunt of many a practical joke and prank. And he truly “never met a stranger.” He loved to strike up conversations with anyone he met and usually found some common ground for a conversation through mutual interest, hobbies or acquaintances. How he maintained contact with his myriad of friends was quite a task, but one he relished. Once he met you, you were not forgotten, for he remembered everyone by name, including especially those who worked with and for him over the years. Numa was the consummate extrovert. He loved being around people and he loved to tell a good joke or story. Even in his last days, he brightened when visitors came to see him. He is preceded in death by his wife, Louise Johnson Baker of Reidsville and survived by; sons, John Baker and wife Amy of Eagle Rock, VA; Dr. James (Jimbo) Baker and wife Phyllis of Reidsville; and Reid Baker and wife Karen of Greensboro, NC; a brother, James Baker of Clearwater, FL; six grandchildren, Evelyn, Garrett, Kiley, Scott, Mac and Allison Baker; three great grandchildren, Grace and Ava Jane Orecchio and Corbin Baker; two very special aunts, Marion (Pete) Snow and Ester Gammon of Reidsville and special friend Ellen Powell. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 16th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Woodmont United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Other times the family will be at the home of Dr. James Baker, 313 Irvin Farm Road, Reidsville. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Rockingham County, P.O. Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375 or Woodmont United Methodist Church, Elevator Fund, 1926 Richardson Drive, Reidsville, NC 27320. Wilkerson Funeral Home is assisting the family and condolences can be made at www.wilkersonfuneral.com