Cristi Lee Baker

Cristi Lee Baker, 31, of Logan, departed this life on October 30, 2016, at her home. The daughter of the late Dicie and Homer Baker, she was born on June 21, 1985, in Logan, WV. Cristi was a 2003 graduate of Logan High School, where she was active in dance, choir, theatre, cheerleading, National Honor Society, and numerous other academic groups. As a member of the LHS cheerleading team, she and her teammates received the honor of being 2-year recipients of the prestigious WVSSAC State Farm Insurance Academic Achievement Award. Always admiring her mother’s love for the nursing profession, she was inspired to pursue her degree in nursing and graduated with an Associate Degree in Applied Science from the SWVCTC Nursing Program in 2006. As a Registered Nurse, specializing in emergency care, she used her talents and love for her profession to care for, comfort, and influence numerous patients in West Virginia and Kentucky during her work at Logan Regional Medical Center, Ruby Memorial Hospital, CAMC, and Pikeville Medical Center. Cristi was a loyal friend and hard-worker who was always willing to lend a hand and spent countless hours volunteering her time for community and athletic organizations. Particularly, she worked camps, tournaments, and fundraising events for the LHS Runnin’ Wildcats Basketball Program; she was a veteran on the stage and behind the scenes for the The Aracoma Story, Inc. where she participated in numerous shows since the age of 9; and she also volunteered her time and supported her friends during the founding and development of Southern Coalition for the Arts. In addition to her parents, Cristi is preceded in death by her grandparents, Arnold and Francis Gore, Samuel Baker, and Rosa Etta Jacobs. Surviving family includes the following: her brother, John Evans, Jr.; sister, Jaime Baker; very special brother, Trey (Taylor) Townsend; aunts and uncles, Bruce (Tonya) Gore, Arnold (Myong) Gore, Amy (Berbin) Townsend, Sr., Dewey Gore, Sr., Walter (Hope) Gore, Jeff (Tracy) Gore, and Joan Boyd; nieces and nephews, Caitlin Elkins, Cade Elkins, Chase Elkins, John Evans, Kraig Evans, and Kole Evans; cousins, Brandi Bryant, Berbin (Jerri) Townsend, Dewey Gore, Jr., Travis Gore, Robbie Gore, Jared Gore, Jason Gore, Vicki Gore, Bruce Gore, Jr., Fran Dunn, Jessie Gore, Shawn Gore, and Alexandra Gore; and special cousins Austin Townsend, Skylar Gore, Jayden Gore, Diesel Bryant, Brody Bryant, and Hayden Townsend; her two furbabies, Ceasar and Sassy; and a large host of very close friends, who she considered her family by choice. Cristi’s family would like to thank Dr. Billy Mullen and his staff for the continued care of Cristi and her parents. Pallbearers include Cade Elkins, Chase Elkins, Robbie Gore, Jared Gore, Judge Eric O’Briant, Brantz O’Briant, Chase Hatcher, Brandon Picklesimer, Matthew Thompson, Ronnie Thompson, Joe Hatcher, Nicholas Ooten-Robinson, and Steven Wolfe. Friends may call from 6:00 to 9:00 PM on Thursday, November 3, 2016, at Akers-James Funeral Home in West Logan. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 4, 2016, at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Pecks Mill. Family and friends are encouraged to share fond memories and stories of Cristi online at www.jamesfh.com Akers-James Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.