Stella Isabella (known as Belle) BAKER, named for her mother and paternal grandmother, daughter of Charles Otis and Stella Brent HEADLEY BAKER, was born May 4, 1914, near Wyatt, MO, coming with her family from Wyatt to Metropolis, IL in February 1928, when she was thirteen. She is from a family of thirteen children, ten living to maturity. Belle first married Frank Henry HARRINGTON, son of George W and Carrie Jane HASFELD HARRINGTON, on August 22, 1931, in Metropolis, IL. From this union a daughter was born - Phyllis Belle HARRINGTON THOMPSON, who married Jack Earl THOMPSON. Belle second married Clyde BARTON, son of Samuel Andrew and Lou Ona HENDERSON BARTON, on June 24, 1939, in Bardwell, KY. From this union a daughter was born - Bonnie Sue BARTON JOHNSON SKAGGS, who is married to Terry Lee SKAGGS. Belle is the grandmother of three; Debra Sue THOMPSON DRIVER, Jacqueline Jo JOHNSON HARRIS SMITH, and Julie Anne JOHNSON (deceased August, 1992); and the great grandmother of four; Kimberly Michelle HARRIS and Maeggan Jo HARRIS, and Timpthy Thompson DRIVER and Charity Grace DRIVER.

Belle's love for poetry started at a young age, perhaps around ten or eleven. Her parents subscribed to a little magazine called "Lady's Home Comfort." This magazine contained much poetry. One poem Belle remembers with pleasure was, "Little Rosewood Casket."

Below is the first poem Belle remembers writing at about the age of fourteen or fifteen.

While wifey goes to the dances and shows, Hubby stays home and washes his clothes. He rocks the cradle, puts the baby to sleep, Washes the dishes and then has to sweep. Take warning, stay single as long as you can, For just look what married life does to a man.

By age twenty-two or twenty-three, Belle was deeply interested in poetry and this interest has continued over these many years. She has composed almost 500 poems, some of which will be on display here at her web page. Belle's poems have inspired many people over the years and the hope is that some of them will be an inspiration to you.

Belle's daughter, Bonnie, was learning "computers" in college and decided to organize her mother's poems. Bonnie now has the almost 500 poems on computer.