Don Otho McGee (“Mac”) Baker, Jr. went to be with the Lord on December 12, 2024, at his home in Leland, Mississippi. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Leland, Mississippi at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024, with visitation at the church following the service. Arrangements are under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Leland.
Mac was born on December 8, 1955, in Leland. After graduating from Leland Academy in 1974, Mac attended Mississippi State University, where he was an active member of the Kapha Alpha Order. After graduating from Mississippi State, he returned to Leland to join the family farming business.
After marrying then-wife Stephanie Brown Baker, they welcomed two children, Don Robinson Baker II and Caroline Lee Baker. Mac was a life-long member of First Baptist Church of Leland, an active Delta Council member, a board member of Planters Bank of Leland, and a founding member of the East Leland Mall and Country Club.
A Mississippi State fan from birth, Mac welcomed Rob’s return back to the family farm so that he and Mary Anne were free to go to as many baseball and football games as they could in Starkville. Rob joining the farm also meant that Mac had a permanent lunch buddy who would travel anywhere in the Delta for lunch at whatever restaurant had most recently caught Mac’s attention.
One of Mac’s greatest joys was his family. He thrived in his role as “Big Mac” to granddaughters, Sarah Hollis and Liza, and was elated when Rob married the daughter of one of his lifelong friends, making an unofficial member of his family official.
Mac was preceded in death by his parents, D.O. and Sally Baker, and niece Sally Love Kennedy. He is survived by his children, Rob Baker (Katie) of Greenville and Caroline Smith (Hal) of Madison; grandchildren, Sarah Hollis and Liza Smith of Madison; sisters, Camille Branton of Leland and Lanny Kennedy (Bill) of Inverness; longtime companion Mary Anne Brocato of Leland, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Maroun Hayek and his team of nurses and staff; the doctors, nurses, and staff at M.D. Anderson; and the team of sitters who all provided compassionate care to Mac over the last seven months.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Leland, P.O. Box 286, Leland, Mississippi, or a charity of your choice.