Family and friends gathered on a small grassy field on Lower River Caney Road on Saturday to dedicate a new monument to the only remaining flood victim who has not been located.
The black marble monument honors Vanessa (Watts) Baker, 60, who was swept away from her home on River Caney during the devastating flood on July 28, 2022.
The record-breaking natural disaster claimed Baker and ten other Breathitt County residents. An eleventh victim died days later.
The bodies of the victims were recovered in the days that followed, except for two women.
Fire and rescue crews from across the state joined local agencies for numerous searches in and along the North Fork of the Kentucky River and its tributaries for Baker and Nancy Cundiff. Cundiff was later recovered, but Baker’s remains have not been found.
In August 2022, County Line Community Church Minister and Baker’s nephew, Anthony Mullins, told The Jackson Times-Voice that the family was praying that the searchers would find her body. “Then we could have closure and at least know where she is,” Mullins said.
More than four years later, they still hold out hope that she will be brought home to rest.
Those who attended the dedication on September 25 sang and remembered Baker as Mullins led the brief service held in her memory.
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