Dennis Murphree Baker 86, died February 10, 2014 in Oxford, Mississippi. Dennis was a selfless servant to his family, church, community, state, and country.

He was born July 1, 1927 in Pope, Mississippi the son of Noah Frank Baker and Dora Carlean Flowers Baker. He graduated from Enid High School where he was valedictorian of his class. After serving overseas in the United States Army during World War II, he attended Northwest Junior College and the University of Mississippi where he earned a Juris Doctorate from the University Of Mississippi School Of Law. He was elected and served two terms in the Mississippi House of Representatives and one term in the Mississippi Senate. Additionally, he served as Batesville city attorney, and attorney for the Batesville Housing Authority and the Panola County Board of Education. He was a member of the Mississippi State Park Commission. In 1978 he became chancellor for the State of Mississippi Third Chancery Court District where he served for over 25 years before retiring as Senior Judge. He took further studies at the National Judicial College on several occasions as well as conducted panels for lawyers and judges education through the Mississippi Judicial College. In 2001 he was elected a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Association. Dennis supported the University of Mississippi School of Law as a member of the Lamar Order. He was a member of the Panola County Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Dennis was a member of the Batesville Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. He served as King of the Charity Ball of Batesville. As a longtime member of Batesville First United Methodist Church, Dennis was Chairman of the Official Board of the Church as well as a Lay speaker, member of the Methodist Men, and for many years taught the Adult Sunday School Class. He enjoyed performing multiple roles on stage at the Panola Playhouse. Dennis was an avid supporter of Ole Miss Athletics and enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting and fishing with family and friends. He loved and was loved by his family. Dennis is survived by his wife, Sarah Janelle Anthony Baker, to whom he was married for 63 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his son, Dennis Murphree Baker II (Connie) of Batesville, MS.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Jonell Baker Beeler (Jesse) of Brandon, MS; daughter, Kathleen Baker Cruzen (Philip) of Germantown, TN; and brother, Bobby Gene Baker (Nell) of Batesville, MS. He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Philip Warren Cruzen, Jr. (Whitney) of Memphis, TN; Sarah Ann Williamson of Jackson, MS; Stephen Baker Cruzen (Vickie) of Memphis, TN; Robert Chapman Williamson III of Los Angeles, CA; Julia Cruzen Scales (Mark) of Suffolk, VA; and Brenden Graves Baker of Batesville, MS.

The family requests that memorials be sent to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 797 Batesville, MS 38606; or the University Of Mississippi School Of Law, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677.
Dickins Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.