ALUMNI NEWS VOL. 21, NO. 1

Education for Time and Eternity January 2017A newsletter for alumni of Oneida Baptist Institute

oneida baptist institutepo box 67

oneida kentucky 40972-0067

addReSS SeRVice ReQueSted

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

Oneida, KYPermit No. 4

“Keepers of the dream”

We would like to dedicate this issue of the alumni news to Mrs. Ruby baker.

When I think of “Miss Ruby,” as we all called her, I think of her infectious smile and kindness. We loved her cooking, especially on Fridays, when she made those wonderful yeast donuts along with hot dogs served in Marvin Hall. When I think of Mr. Baker, it was his laughter, fairness and energy.

On behalf of OBI alumni and friends, “Thanks for the Memories,” Miss Ruby. We will never forget you and Mr. Baker.

~ Amanda Louise Roberts (’62) Alumni Director & Librarian

Thanks for the memories, Mrs. Ruby Baker

October 25, 1913 - September 17, 2016

in Memoriam 2016

Wilma bowling (’56)patsy Lyons (former staff)Ruby baker (former staff)Mike Williford, sr. (former student and grandson of for-mer OBI President, D. Ches-ter Sparks)thomas b. adkins (’51)Mary elizabeth ammons (’70)

Mark your calendar!

Homecoming 2017october 21st

Golf tournament October 20! Fall drama production!

Alumni & Friends Dinner!

Plan now; don’t miss the fun!

are you in one of the classes celebrating ananniversary in 2017?

5 years 201210 years 200715 years 200220 years 199725 years 199230 years 198735 years 198240 years 197745 years 197250 years 196755 years 196260 years 195765 years 195270 years 1947

As a young man growing up in Oneida, it was not uncommon to find myself visit-ing the home of Mr. and Mrs. Baker. The meals were always fantastic, but the love and fellowship I felt was even better. Dr. Moore would often come to my father and ask him to drive him out to the Bakers’. Since Mr. Baker was our board chairman, I am sure those trips involved discussion of some school-related item or issue, but I am also sure those trips were just as much about the food, love, and fellowship.

Many folks in our community have had an amazing history and partnership with OBI, but I doubt any loved OBI more or played a more vital role with the school than Preston and Ruby Baker. ~ Larry A. Gritton, (’93) OBI president

Special memories

Want an easy way to give? Go to our web site and click the “Give/Volunteer” tab, then the “Donate now” button to give via credit card, debit card or PayPal: http://www.oneidaschool.org/ support.shtml

in what other ways can you help obi?Pray for our students, faculty and staff.• Tell prospective students and families • about all that our program offers.Come and visit us to see what we’re do-• ing. Better yet, bring a friend or a group from your church for a campus tour.Consider joining our ministry team as a • full-time volunteer.

Education for Time and Eternity January 2017OBI ALUMNI NEWS Education for Time and Eternity January 2017OBI ALUMNI NEWS

“Thanks for the memories” Preston and Ruby BakerFamily and friends

Mrs. Ruby baker, age 102, peacefully departed this life on September 17, 2016 at the Episcopal Church Home in Lou-isville, Kentucky. She was born on October 25, 1913, on Wildcat, to William and betty Robinson.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, ernie and Jesse Robinson, and her beloved husband, preston.

She is survived by her children, Roy (Jean) baker of Troy, Ohio and brenda baker Farrell of Louisville, Kentucky. She is also survived by her niece, Ruth Williams of London, Kentucky and a nephew, billy Robinson, of Oneida. She leaves behind six grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren who also mourn her passing. She was loved dearly and will be deeply missed by all she came in contact with through her long, amazing life.

Ruby was a devoted, lifelong member of Oneida Baptist Church. Her greatest joy, aside from unconditionally loving and nurturing her family, was coming back to her new home on Bull Skin and attending Oneida Baptist Institute homecomings.

Ruby loved to cook. She was the kitchen supervisor at OBI for many years. dr. barkley Moore (’58) once said, on the occasion of her sixtieth wedding anniversary, that “if all the people Ruby had fed over the years could join hands, they would circle around the earth.” In later years, she was in charge of the lunch program at Oneida Elementary School.

A celebration of Ruby Baker’s life was held at the Oneida Baptist Church with steve Young, OBC minister of music, and Rev. darwood santmier, OBC pastor, officiating. Burial followed in the Squire Hensley Cemetery. q

Left: Ruby with her son, Roy.

Right: Ruby and daugh-ter, Brenda.

bottom left: Ruby visit-ing with Steve and Pam Young.

bottom right: Ruby with Ruth Ann Powell.

“Thanks for the memories” Preston and Ruby Baker

Mr. preston baker graduated from OBI in the class of 1928. He was a student under Oneida’s first three presidents -- James anderson burns, t. L. adams, and sylvia W. Russell.

On November 7, 1931 he married Ruby Robin-son. They began their married life living in the home of Ruby’s parents. Years later when Ruby’s mother died, “Papa” Robinson came to live with his daughter and son-in-law, “Pres.” He was with them 30 years, dying a few months before his 103rd birth-day.

Pres and Ruby came to serve at the Oneida school in the 1930’s, serving during the administrations of Charles Goins, saul Hounchell, and eri shumaker. Ruby was the only cook the school had for 12 years, working many of those years for one dollar a day. “Mr. Baker,” as he was called, was a teacher all those years, as well as softball coach and work supervisor. He was also dean of boys many of those years, and served as principal of Oneida Elementary. All the while, he was a great sup-porter of Oneida Baptist Institute, serving as a trustee under the administrations of presidents d. Chester sparks, david Jackson, and dr. barkley Moore. A 112-bed dormitory was named for Pres and Ruby in 1982. q

Preston and Ruby Baker Hall Preston with Dr. Barkley Moore

Dr. Barkley Moore with Preston at graduation

Need to contact us? Amanda Louise Roberts, Alumni Director E-mail: amanda.roberts@oneidaschool.org

(606) 847-4111 ext. 268 www.oneidaschool.org

Education for Time and Eternity January 2017OBI ALUMNI NEWS Education for Time and Eternity January 2017OBI ALUMNI NEWS

Preston and Ruby Baker at his 82nd birthday celebration

Preston and Ruby at a chapel service