Just a short 25 days following the death of her husband, Kaye Turnage Cloessner passed from this life to her eternal reward on June 30, 2024. Certainly, she was greeted by many loved ones who have gone on before.
Kaye was born to J.P. & Irene Turnage in Bastrop, LA, on January 19, 1948, as the youngest of three. Kaye dearly loved her sister, Alice, and her brother, Will. Throughout the course of the 12 years of schooling, Kaye attended nine different schools, because of her father's job. She was a proud graduate of Neville High School and attended classes at Northeast Louisiana State College, which is now the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Kaye was married to George Mack Baber and together they owned and operated Baber's Electronic World from 1975-2000. Kaye managed the accounting for the business and her meticulous way of conducting her duties was well known. She would keep multiple handwritten sets of the company's accounting, and that habit continued to today with her household books.
Around 1993, Kaye began her second career at First Baptist Church West Monroe. She worked as a Worship Ministry Administrator which included various responsibilities. This role included Special Events and Living Christmas Tree Coordinator, Tape and Recording Ministry, and Outreach Ministry Associate. She retired from the church in 2010.
Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster appointed Kaye to serve on the Ouachita River Port Commission from 2001-2003. She was proud to serve her community in this role.
Following the death of George in 2003, Kaye developed a relationship and fell in love with her longtime friend, Carl Cloessner. Carl had worked in many areas of the church alongside George & Kaye. In August of 2006, they were married.
A few years after their marriage, Kaye and Carl moved to Winnsboro where they lived next door to four of their grandchildren and enjoyed country living. Travel was always on the calendar, and they enjoyed many trips and cruises with Carl's daughter, Cheryl, and her family, as well as many friends.
Kaye is survived by stepson, George "Bubba" Baber (Lisa), stepdaughter, Cheryl Cloessner Row (John), stepson, Jimmy Cloessner (Kristi). Grandchildren include George Mack Baber, III (Amanda), Brooke Baber, Kemper, Cabe, Cason, Kellyn Cloessner, and Alexandra Row.
She is also survived by the children of her siblings, Dessie Thrailkill, Devery Pearson (Tanya), Robert Pearson, William Pearson (Anna), Jay Turnage (Maria) and Ashley Carlino. Survivors also include great-grandchildren, great nieces and nephews, and other family members within the family tree of J.P. & Irene Turnage.
Kaye was blessed with many friends who made their weekly visits to see her. Teresia Dickerson, Kristy Morris, Jessica, Emma Kaye, and Noah Pearson, Gwen Rankin and Sharon Fitzsimmons were regular visitors and when they left, Kaye was uplifted. Being away from Carl was difficult, but you all made it more bearable.
A memorial service is planned for July 13, 2024, at Life Church of Winnsboro, 2330 Highway 15, Winnsboro, LA. The service is at 2:00 with the visitation beginning at 1:00.
Any planned memorial gifts may be made to the Ministry of Inspirational Therapy, P.O. Box 1333, West Monroe, LA 71294. This is a nursing home ministry in which Kaye was involved.

Life Church

Life Church