Mrs. Helen Reen Baber

June 30, 1939 - December 27, 2021

BABER, Mrs. Helen Reen - Age 82, passed away Monday, December 27, 2021 at McLaren-Flint. Family hour 10:30 AM Saturday, January 8, 2022 at King Solomon Baptist Church, 2220 Coldwater Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Pastor Jessie McIntosh officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 AM Saturday. Mrs. Baber will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday. Mother Helen Reen Baber age 82, was born June 30th, 1939 in Choctaw County Mississippi, the daughter of the late George and Verlie Cork. Helen accepted Christ at an early age, as a member of Beth Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Reform MS. She graduated from Choctaw County High School in Ackerman MS in 1957, where she enjoyed playing basketball and was one of the best Point Guards in the state. After High School, she moved to Chicago IL, and united with the New Castle MBC. She then married Clois Francis and to their union, five children were born. After the passing of Clois in 1970, Helen married Harman Baber in 1976 and moved to Flint MI. Mrs. Baber continued her service to the Lord uniting with King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church. She served as a Deaconess, Church Clerk, member of the Mothers Board, Mission Society, Sunday School Superintended, Church Anniversary Chairperson for many years, and former choir member. She was an excellent example of a dedicated member with a serving spirit. Affectionately known as Granny Helen! Mrs. Baber worked at Consumers Energy until she retired in the year of 2000. She enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling to Mississippi to visit with her nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also loved to go on fellowship trips with the Senior Citizen's community. Mrs. Baber enjoyed watching “In the Heat of the Night”, “Walker Texas Ranger”, and the Detroit Pistons. She was a great cook and always wanted to feed anyone who came to her home. Mrs. Helen leaves to cherish in her memory: loving and devoted children, Westly Francis, Helen Marietha (Larry) Simpson, Barry Francis, and Maria (Rev. André) Powell all of Flint MI; 5 grandchildren, Juaquin ( Joyce) Brown, Nashville TN, Malishi Brown, Larry Simpson Jr., Alexsis Powell, and Andre’ Powell II, all of Flint MI. 13 great-grandchildren; 2 aunts, Norma J. Clark, of Flint MI and Doreatha Cork of Saginaw, MI; 2 sisters-in-law, Ollie Francis of IL & Ruby Cork of Mississippi; 2 brothers-in-laws Howard Francis of IL and John Ashford of MS. In addition, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and special friends including Mother Mattie Williams, Annetta Cooper, Gloria Acker, Ann Sanders, and Glynis Hardin. Mrs. Baber was preceded in death by her husband Harman Baber; Son, Charles Francis. Parents, George, and Verlie Cork; 2 sisters, Annie Laura Holmes and Flora Mae Baber; 2 brothers, Floyd and Deacon George Douglas Cork. The Family would like to give a special thanks to the McLaren Hospital staff, Dr. Shaffi Ahmed, Dr. Megala, Dr. Sundar Romanathan, Fresenius Kidney Care, Ideal Home Healthcare Staff, Caregiver Nakita Powell, Niece Charlene Baber-Guerrero, Vermont Christian Church D.O.C., Pastor Jessie McIntosh, and the entire King Solomon MBC family.