Emily Joy Yeargan Baker

Emily Joy Baker aka AUNTIE EM, Nana, and Ebakes; passed away shortly after midnight this morning (November 30, 2024). Her family was present with her as she passed into glory. Emily left a beautiful legacy for her family, especially with her servant heart that always put other's needs before her own.

Emily wore many hats: biology enthusiast, teacher, caregiver, mother and softball mom extraordinaire, and Nana to her many grandchildren and great nephews and nieces. Emily lived her life caring for others; from many years of caring her elderly parents, to happily keeping her grandchildren, to running a massive donation drive to help the Pass Christian community schools in Mississippi, who had been devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Nobody could make a pot of chicken and dumplings like Emily, and it was always a favorite meal to request from her. She comforted so many friends and family with the meals she provided. Not only were her meals comforting but so was her presence. Many happy summers were spent with her sister and her family. Emily always had the biggest, and best, stash of silk flowers; which the kids would get into. The cousins would put on productions with Emily right in tow as their camera woman. She loved watching her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews perform, whether it was at a dance recital, on stage at a theatre production, or playing sports. To know Emily Baker was to feel loved by her. All who knew her knew that she belonged to Jesus because she didn't just talk about it, she lived it. She loved unconditionally.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert Lamar Yeargan and Erline Moates Yeargan; and her sister, Ellen Yeargan Bryant. She is survived by her beloved spouse of 56 years, Kenneth Craig Baker; her children, Brandon C. Baker and his wife Jennifer Muro Baker, Leigh Anne Baker Shropshire and her husband Jason David Shropshire; her sister, Margaret Yeargan Starek; her grandchildren, Blake C. Baker and his wife Rachel Krutz Baker, Daniel O. Shropshire, Abby M. Baker, Stephen C. Shropshire, Nathan L. Shropshire, and John L. Baker. Emily graduated from Auburn University with a biology and physiology degree. She got her masters in education at Auburn University in Montgomery where she taught medical terminology. She started her teaching career at Jeff Davis High School, then taught at Cloverdale, and finished her career at Trinity Presbyterian School. She taught for over 30 years.

Emily will be missed beyond measure by all who knew and loved her; but most especially, by her family.

A friends and family visitation for Emily will be held Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Leak Memory Chapel, 945 Lincoln Rd, Montgomery, Alabama 36109, followed by a celebration of life chapel service at 2:00 PM. Services will conclude with a burial at Greenwood Cemetery. Chaplain Tom Bridges officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Emily's memory may be made to Samaritan's Purse; and St. Judes Children's Hospital.