Cherryl J. Baker

Cherryl Joane Baker was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 2, 2025, after a faithful life of service and evangelism. She was born to Joseph Oscar Price, Sr and the late Frances Louise Price on December 21,1943, at the Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ. Her father later remarried the late Carolyn Price, whom she deeply loved and adored. Cherryl was active in the church at a very young age, singing in the choir, starting around 5 years old.

She attended the Asbury Park High School, where she excelled in Track and Field and was on the school’s swimming team. Afterwards, she attended the Monmouth Medical School of Nursing to become a nurse and then earned her associate’s degree in applied sciences and academics from Ocean County College.

Called to the ministry, Cherryl earned her credentials as an Evangelist and Minister from the United Church of Jesus Christ and later founded and pastored Lighthouse Holy Mission. Her ministry’s focus was on outreach, highlighted by Operation Blessings, a program designed to feed the needy and unhoused. She also focused on spreading the word to those who were sick and shut-in at home and nursing facilities, as well as correctional institutions. In addition, she held Vacation Bible school where she fed the neighborhood youth, not just physically, but spiritually for many years.

Cherryl later joined the pastoral family at The Church of Grace and Peace in Toms River, NJ where she remained a faithful member. She would continue her calling of outreach ministry as an associate chaplain at Children’s Specialized Hospital and Community Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health. She also worked as a crisis counselor at Contact Ministries of Ocean and Monmouth Counties.

Cherryl met and married the love of her life, the late Gerald Bernard Baker, with whom she joyously and lovingly raised 6 children: Sharon, Samuel, Steven Scott, Shawn and Simeon, and 3 grandchildren Elijah, Sandra and Candace, along with many others. She is also survived by her father, Joseph Oscar Price, Sr, 3 brothers, Joseph Jr, Vinnie and Warren as well as 2 sisters, Vivian (Pat) Padilla and Dorothy McDougald, as well as more than 24 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and a host of relatives.

Cherryl’s life was a testament to faith, compassion, and unwavering dedication to serving others. Her legacy will continue to shine through her children and in the lives of all those she touched.

A visitation for Cherryl will be held Monday, March 17, 2025 from 4 to 8 PM at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 3010 Ridgeway Road, Manchester, NJ 08759. A Celebration of Cherryl's Life will start at 10 AM and continue until 12:30 PM, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at The Church of Grace & Peace, 1563 Old Freehold Rd, Toms River, NJ 08755. Interment to follow 2 to 2:30 PM at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Rd, Wrightstown, NJ 08562. Repast will take place at the Church of Grace & Peace from 4-6:30 pm.