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Mrs. Erna Dysart Baker, age 91, died peacefully on August 22, 2015, at her home outside of Black Mountain. Erna was born to the late Ernest G. and Hannie Biddex Dysart on June 18, 1924. She was preceded in death by her six siblings: Bulow Dysart, Harold Dysart, Gene Dysart, Troyell Dysart, Frank Dysart and Frances Dysart Miller.
Erna lived in Pleasant Gardens during her elementary and high school years. She attended Greensboro Women's College and received a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. While working as a dietician in Raleigh, she met her future husband, Lewin Thompson Baker, of Port Allegany, Pennsylvania, and they were married in 1946. Following the birth of their first child, Erna became a dedicated mother and homemaker. She was a marvelous cook, an accomplished seamstress and the "glue" of the family. During her married life, she lived in Raleigh (North Carolina), Buffalo (New York), Clearfield (Pennsylvania), Baldwinsville (New York), Ormond Beach (Florida), Schenectady (New York), and Pleasant Gardens (North Carolina). In 1984, she and Lee moved to their mountain home outside of Black Mountain, spending summers in Port Allegany (Pennsylvania).
Erna was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who dedicated herself to her family's well-being. She was a caring person to her friends and all who knew her. She will be greatly missed and remembered for her gentle ways, beautiful smile and kind heart.
Erna is survived by her husband Lee, and their three children and spouses: Sherry Baker Cato and Robert H. Cato, Ernest D. and Linda Stout Baker, Marvin C. and Laurie Marsh Baker. She was blessed with 11 grandchildren and their spouses: Mindy Cato Soich, and Todd M. Soich, Ryan C. Cato (deceased), Matthew J. Cato, Tara Baker Dew and James Dew, Leah Baker Guenther and Kyle Guenther, Nicholas L. and Anne Davis Baker, Eric D. and Suzanne Wilson Baker, Jason B. Baker, Emily Baker Orr and Ben Orr, Adam D. Baker and Alaina L. Baker. She had 9 great grandchildren: Jayden Soich, Ryland Soich, Cooperson Soich, Nathan Dew, Natalie Dew, Samuel Dew, Samantha Dew, Emery Guenther and William Guenther.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made, in Erna’s name, to the Four Seasons Compassion for Life hospice organization (https://www.fourseasonscfl.org), Alzheimer's research at BrightFocus Foundation (http://www.brightfocus.org), or the Black Mountain United Methodist Church (http://blackmountainumc.org).
A celebration of Erna’s life will be held at the Black Mountain United Methodist Church on Sunday, September 6th, 2015, at 4:00PM. She will be buried in the Dysart family plot at Oak Grove Cemetery, in Marion, North Carolina.

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