ERP, Marilyn Baker (1956 – 2020)
Ms. Marilyn Kay Baker Erp, 63, of Barbourville, passed away unexpectedly Monday afternoon, January 13, 2020 at her home. She was the daughter of the late Randall and Mary Mattie Merritt Baker born on May 4, 1956 in Pineville.
When Marilyn was young, her family moved to Michigan and settled in Sterling Heights, but she enjoyed her weekend and summer visits to Kentucky spending time with aunts, uncles, and cousins and family camping trips to the lake. After graduating from Stevenson High School and cosmetology school, Marilyn spent two years in Germany where she enjoyed traveling and exploring the beautiful castles. During those years, Marilyn’s parents and brother returned to Barbourville. Marilyn relocated to Barbourville in 1976 bringing with her a slight northern accent and a fondness for travel and change.
Marilyn believed in the Baptist faith and was baptized in 1981. She enjoyed reading and studying her Bible and was a firm believer in the power of prayer and God’s plan for her life.
Always with a pleasant personality, a desire to be organized, a creative mind, talented hands and fearless optimism, Marilyn worked various jobs throughout her life including owning a small monogramming business from home, sewing draperies for an interior designer and being a hairstylist. She worked several years as an office assistant at Johnny Watkins Buick Pontiac GMC and at Winn-Dixie before working as a merchandiser for various companies. Marilyn loved to be crafty and enjoyed sewing, crocheting and making vinyl creations. Without debate, Marilyn’s favorite place to be was at the ocean where she could enjoy the sun, peace and the majesty of God’s creation.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, William Taylor and Bertia Baker and Clifford and Ollie Merritt as well as several dear aunts, uncles and cousins.
Marilyn is survived by her loving children, Jennifer Higgins and husband, Todd, Amanda Mills and husband, Jamie, all of Barbourville and Jason Williams and wife, Julia, of Wilmore; eight grandchildren, Nathan Mills, Andalyn Yeager and husband, Dallas, McKinley Mills, Abram Brock, Jay Evan Mills, Aaron Higgins and Olivia and Amelia Williams; a brother, Keith Baker and wife, Kathi, of Mocksville, NC; a nephew, Joe Baker and wife, Tamara, of Statesville, NC; two great-nieces, Lillian and Emily Baker; among other dear aunts, uncles, cousins, loved ones and dear friends.
Her funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Friday, January 17 at 1 P.M. with Rev. Josh Smith and George Hammons officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Barbourville Cemetery.
Casket bearers will be Joe Baker, Dallas Yeager, Nathan Mills, McKinley Mills, Abram Brock, and Jay Evan Mills.
Friends may call the funeral home Thursday between 6 and 9 P. M. and Friday prior funeral hour.
Expressions of sympathy may go to the East Barbourville Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 66, Barbourville, KY 40906 in loving memory of Marilyn K. Erp.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.
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