Ellen (Baker) Peaden

Ellen Baker Peaden

Ellen Baker Peaden (Pinky) was made whole again October 21, 2025 with loved ones and some of her favorite hymns surrounding her.  She was born March 12, 1949 near Fountain, NC to a sharecropper and a nurse, where the sewn seeds of “grit” would define her life story.

This “grit” would carry with her as she faced many challenges, always putting others before herself. She was a proud graduate of Belvoir-Falkland High School (1967) and earned an associate of nursing from Pitt Technical Institute (now Pitt Community College). She served in many roles: Four decades as a nurse who often took charge (whether the doctors she worked with wanted her to or not). She was a charter member of the Falkland EMS, where she thrived on being the calm in the midst of others’ storms for over two decades.

Her passion for music and her powerful gospel voice would bring joy, comfort and even chills as she sang faithfully in her community and with her church choir until she no longer could.  This gift was instilled by her mother and is carried on today through many in her family.

Her passion for service as a mom and a wife was unmatched.  She shelved some of her own dreams so that her children could have the opportunities to succeed.  Some of her greatest moments were witnessing all 3 children earn degrees in higher education, one of the sacrifices she put off for herself.  She served as a support for her baby son in his last year on earth as he battled leukemia.  She was a faithful wife through the casualties of the Vietnam War as long as she could realistically be, and then through the almost 37 years of marriage through the health challenges of her husband, Gene.  She was his caregiver in addition to being a faithful daughter and caregiver to her own mother.

Perhaps the service that brought the most fulfillment was in her role as “mema”.  She took over when needed as the support servant, providing care for her grandchildren that gave her great joy.  She also passionately served those who God called her to serve.  Whether it was a ride for someone with a cancer treatment, the soup kitchen, homebound meal delivery or baking her banana bread for the Pitt Area Transit staff, she affectionately put others before self.  She loved the Falkland community and the Falkland Presbyterian Church, seeing her son answer the call to become their pastor.

Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, Seth “Duck” and Alice Mae Baker, her husband, Gene Peaden and her baby boy, the Reverend Roger Peaden II.  She is survived by her daughter and caregiver, Bridget Tant (Roy) of Hampstead, NC, her son, Cam Coburn (Lori) of Wilson, NC,  her granddaughter and wonderful companion/caregiver, Caty Manning, her “bonus grandson” and caregiver Brian Little, grandsons Joseph Allen, Jonathan Peaden, Christopher Coburn, Samuel Peaden, granddaughters Kasey Coburn, Jessica Rice, Maura Peaden and Emma Coburn, a brother, Bobby Baker, her special sister in law and niece, Lydia and Livvy Baker of Louisburg, NC, her best family friend, Horace Lawrence of New Bern, NC and all of her extended family and friends.

Visitation will be at the Falkland Presbyterian Church (5943 Hwy. 43 N Falkland, NC 27827) Saturday, October 25, 12:30 pm with service immediately following at 1:30 pm (Reverend Cam Coburn officiating and special friend Ernest Silver as the vocalist). Internment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Gardens (4965 US 258-Farmville, NC 27828) following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests your consideration for a donation to the Falkland Presbyterian Church Community Aid (P.O. Box 28 Falkland, NC 27827) or Falkland EMS (P.O. Box AN Falkland, NC 27827) .

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