Nancy Baker

Nancy Baker of Wilmington NC, formerly of Amarillo TX, was called back home by the gracious Lord on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. She was peacefully carried by His hand to be reunited with loved ones and her adoring husband on their heavenly walk together in eternal peace. Nancy was 95 years old. She was born in Elma, Washington, the second daughter of Clifford and Mary Wakefield. At Grays Harbor College, Aberdeen, Washington, Nancy earned her degrees in Fine Arts and Business.

Through her love of music, art, and nature, Nancy appreciated the beauty all around her. Nancy's paintings, drawings, and elaborate needlework’s reflected her joy and lightness throughout her life. Those that knew Nancy were touched by her kindness. Family was Nancy's pride and joy, so she devoted herself to caring for them.

One of Nancy's fondest memories is of the first meeting that changed her life forever. A pair of close friends coaxed their shy sailor friend to approach the movie theater window where Nancy worked in Aberdeen, WA. Looking up from an extended hand and the cuff of a uniform, she saw the man who immediately fell in love with her. A classic cinematic romance at its finest, they married in 1950.

As the Baker family moved for Coast Guard/FAA assignments, they lived in MI, NC, TN, WV, OH, and finally settled in TX for 55 years. Nancy enjoyed traveling, especially with her husband visiting the international friends network he’d founded through his amateur radio support organization “Amigos De Los Americas.”

Nancy cherished strong values, and raised her family to follow their deep faith wherever they lived. She sang in the choirs and created worship banners for each Church sanctuary they attended. A member of Pleasant Valley Methodist Church Amarillo, she taught Sunday School and Children's Ministries, led Methodist Youth Fellowship, and designed graphics for the high school band. A Patron of the Arts she loved music, books, movies, gardening, family recipes, crafts, crosswords, antiquing, and writing letters in her impeccable script.

In the aftermath of her husband’s sudden passing, Nancy 51, was determined to keep going for her family. In addition to performing and traveling with chorale group Sweet Adeline’s, she made the most of her life. Following the help of her eldest in learning to drive, she sought out careers that improved people’s lives. She worked hard to obtain further education and certification as a Unit Secretary on Cancer Floor at Baptist Hospital Amarillo, Texas, served as Ombudsman for the State of Texas, and House Mother at King's Manor Methodist Nursing Home Hereford, Texas. Although Nancy and her husband looked forward to joining the African Peace Corps, she decided to focus on improving their local community through Court Appointed Special Advocates, for children's safety.

In 2023 when Nancy returned to North Carolina to live with her youngest daughter and son-in-law, she expressed appreciation for the vivid change of seasons. With Wilmington's mild coastal climate, she paused to enjoy the breezes, birds, and flowers. In addition to enjoying activities with many new friends, Nancy returned to painting with Gabrielle, her special artist friend.

Preceded by her husband, parents, 3 sisters, and an infant brother.

Nancy is loved and missed by her daughters and sons in law: Helen Baker Jean of Amarillo, TX; Lani (Jose, Jr) Flores of Kingston, TN; Deloris Baker (David Proudfit) of Tulsa OK, and Jody (Col. Daniel, USAF, Ret.) Monahan of Wilmington, NC; a brother Larry (Sharon) Wakefield, of Olympia WA, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was proud of her 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Friends and Family are invited to attend a life honoring ceremony on what would be her 96th birthday, Friday, July 26, 2024, 11-2pm at Coble Greenlawn Memorial Park, Wilmington, NC. Her final resting place will be at Knights of Pythias Cemetery in Hastings, WV, with her loving husband Gilbert on March 3, 2025, their 75th anniversary, as a tribute and affirmation of their parents' love. This special event will be orchestrated under the direction of Palmer Funeral Home in Pine Grove, West Virginia.