Mary Anne (Wilson) Baker
June 17, 1945 - October 17, 2021
Mary Anne was a wonderful woman that was loved, is missed,
and will always be cherished. Our "Big Grandma," as she liked to be
called by her great grandchildren, "M A," as she was called by her
paternal relatives, was an amazing wife, mom, daughter, grandmother, and a
loyal church member.
Mary Anne's story starts on June 17, 1945, the oldest child
to Richard C. and Hazel N. Wilson. Mary Anne was born in Shreveport, LA. Soon
after Mary Anne was born, Richard and Hazel moved to Waynoka, OK, where Mary
Anne would spend her childhood, grow up, make many lifelong friends, and go to
school. She was very proud to be a Waynoka Railroader (Class of 1963) and would
attend many high school reunions.
Following graduation, Mary Anne attended Phillips University
and Northwestern State University at Alva, OK. She graduated from Northwestern
on May 27, 1967, with a Bachelor of Science Degree. After graduation her
employment included the Santa Fe railroad, banks in Amarillo, TX, and Broken
Arrow, OK, Howard Public Schools, Howard, KS, Maize Public Schools, Maize, KS,
and 30+ years as the secretary for the Maize United Methodist Church.
It was while she was church secretary that she developed a
card ministry. The members of the church and family members received cards on
their birthdays, anniversaries, when ill, and when congratulations were in
order.
She definitely did things "her way" which meant
that her family after GOD was the most important thing in her life. Nothing
came before them and they all knew it. Her commitment to the Lord was
inspiration to all that knew her.
Mary Anne met James Baker (Principal) while teaching at
Howard High School. After a short engagement they were married on December 22,
1978, and they settled their family in Maize, KS. They celebrated 42 years of
marriage on their last anniversary. During retirement (2012) James and Mary
Anne moved to Newton, KS.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her
brother, Ralph Warren Wilson. Surviving in addition to her husband, James, are
her sons, Bill Baker and his wife Kerri of Minneola, KS, and Paul Glynn and his
wife Michele of Sterlington, LA; her daughter, Michelle Baker of Sedgwick,
Kansas; seven grandchildren, Kendrick Baker, Tyler Glynn, Peyton Glynn, Haley
Glynn, Rachel Glynn, Tesla Baker, and Jesse Baker; three great-grandchildren,
Khloe Stark, Ayla Lowe, and Kayden Cowden; and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be from 5:00pm-8:00pm, Friday, October 22,
2021 at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton, Kansas. A service of remembrance will
be at 10:00am, Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Salem United Methodist Church in
Newton, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mary Anne's name to
Salem United Methodist Church or Good Shepherd Hospice.