Elaine P. Baggett

Elaine Pearl McCracklin was born May 25, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois to Jesse McCracklin and Pearl Whitley. She was the second of eight children. Her parents, three sisters and three brothers preceded her in death.

Elaine graduated from Chicago’s Fenger High School in 1938. On the way to school each day, she would peek into the window of a medical clinic, knowing even then that she wanted to become a nurse. She pursued her dream and graduated from Provident Hospital as a Registered Nurse. Elaine was among the first class of black students allowed to practice at that hospital. She excelled as a surgical nurse and recounted how the doctors would specifically request her and her services by name.

Her career spanned many years and included professional experience in obstetrics, neo-natal and as head of the “New Mom and Baby At-home” program. Further, she remained a member of the Provident Alumni Association, Visiting Nurses Association, Las Fidelis and the Lamba Pi Alpha Sorority.

On September 23, 1942, Elaine married her high school sweetheart, Robert A. Baggett (d. Sept. 2001), who affectionately called her his “Red;” a name by which she came to be known by many far and wide. To this union was born Robert, Jr. (d. Dec. 2010) and Eileen.

Elaine was baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost on April 7, 1946 at Morgan Park Assembly Church under the guidance and leadership of District Elder Herbert C. Moore. Her favorite scripture was Psalm 34:1. There, she directed the choir as well as accompanied on the piano and organ.

Elaine was a woman of many talents and operated in the ministry of helps. She served on the Nurses Guild, Mother’s Board and especially loved to play the organ for the Children’s Church and choir in the basement. From there, First Lady Elaine could always be found in the church laundry room where she insisted on personally washing, drying and folding the baptismal towels and garments of those precious souls that had gone down in Jesus’ Name.

After Suffragan Bishop Baggett retired the Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park into the hands of Bishop William A. Ellis in 1995, Robert, Sr. and Elaine moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and became active members of Mountaintop Faith Ministries. Here, Mother Elaine served with the Health Professionals and faithfully within the Cupbearers Ministry.

Elaine Baggett leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Eileen Baggett-Jackson; grandchildren Cynthia Baggett, Gerald Jackson (Charlotte), Robert Baggett, III (Christel), Brian Jackson (Kelly), Cherise Ragland (D’Shaun), Chaunessie Baggett, Ryan Baggett, Sean Edward, Tiffany Baggett; great-grandchildren Jared Jackson, Lauren Jackson, Ethan Baggett, Erin Baggett, Bryce Jackson, Bailey Jackson, Blake Jackson, Kierra Ragland, Alexis Ragland, Christian Andrew Milton-Davis, Sean Chinn, Jr., Leah Guiao; Sister, Iris Bailey (Los Angeles); a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends; all the sons and daughters of Chicago, Las Vegas and other cities. A visitation will be held Saturday, November 22nd from 2-4pm at Palm Mortuary- S Jones, 1600 S Jones Blvd. Her funeral services will be held Monday, November 24th at 11am at Mountaintop Faith Ministries, 2845 Lindell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89146.