of Conway, AR

January 3, 1938 - November 5, 2023

Flodine Marie (Payne) Baker, 85 of Conway, AR was born on January 3, 1938 in Conway, AR to Audrey Martin Payne and Jessie Leona (Brown) Payne. She passed away on November 5, 2023.

Known lovingly to her family as Memaw. Memaw was married to PePaw, Arlis Clark Baker for 66 years. They had a good life together and wanted to be with each other in the end. We believe this was God's plan.

Flodine was a 1955 graduate of Conway High School and a proud Wampus Cat. She also attended Draughon's Business College where she learned and was good at, shorthand and an excellent typist on an electric typewriter.

Flodine met Arlis through his mom as a pen pal while he was stationed in Korea. They later met in person at a dinner that Arlis' mom prepared in 1956. They were married on February 23, 1957.

Flodine had a long career as a secretary in the engineering department of Travelers Insurance company, retiring in May 1992. In 1984 she opted to take a transfer with Travelers to Birmingham, AL. The family went with her, we all needed a scenic change. In 1987, she and Arlis were homesick and wanted to go back to Arkansas. Their children, Garry and Charlotte opted to stay in Alabama. They moved to a small house in East End, later moving to Mayflower and finally back to Conway where their life started together.

Flodine was in good health until August 2023. She stayed at the hospital day and night while Arlis was having stents placed in 2 of his arteries and overcoming his 1st battle with bilateral pneumonia. At some point the covid virus was in the hospital. Despite being vaccinated, she was unable to escape the wrath of covid. It really took mom out of commission. Her oxygen level was dropping, she eventually lost muscle control in her legs and could no longer walk. Then she quit talking for the most part. Occasionally, talking about things that never really made sense. Occasionally over the phone she would say my name, Charlotte and give me a Roll Tide. She talked a little more to Garry and Dad since they were there with her. When we made it to Conway to visit her, one day she was talking a lot about Indians and there is only One God. She looked at her son-in-law, Johnny's hat and read it-MARINE! Johnny loved to try to wake her up and get her to talk and he was successful several times. When we had to leave to go back to Florida, we all hugged her, kissed her forehead and said we love you. She responded with "I love you too" this was November 4, 2023.

Flodine was preceded in death by her parents, Audrey Martin and Jessie Leona Payne; daughter, Teresa Diane Baker; her beloved husband, Arlis Clark Baker, just 10 days earlier; sisters, Reba Faye Allen, Carolyn Sue Parker and lifelong friend Jeanine Roberts.

Flodine is survived by her son, Garry Arlis Baker of Conway, AR; daughter, Charlotte Ann Dole and son-in-law, Louis John Dole III of Minneola, FL; Sister, Linda Lavern Morris of Whiteville, TN; Grandchildren, Alex William Baker of Moody, AL, Ashley Marie Tidwell and husband, Larry Wayne Tidwell of Pell City, AL, Eva Marie Dole and "Louie" (Louis John Dole IV) of Minneola, FL; Great Grandchildren, Elliot James Baker, Elijah Dean Baker of Moody, AL and Lillian Paisley Kay Baker of Tonopah, NV and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Conway, AR on Friday, November 10, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. with visitation 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery in Alexander, AR.

The family would like to thank all the CNA's, especially Gloria and all the nurses and patient care workers at Superior Health and Rehab who showed love to our mother and precious Memaw during her stay there.

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