Mertice Baker

Mertice Adele (Woods) Baker entered the Kingdom of Heaven at the age of 89 on Sunday March 1, 2020. She passed peacefully with family holding her hand. Mertice was born to David Sherrod and Jennie Marie (Mercier) Woods on April 8, 1930 in Austin, Tx. Her end of life wish was to stay in her home of 60+ years. Except for her last eleven days, she got her wish.

Mertice was an only child, and she attended school in Austin, graduating from Austin High School in 1948. She attended one year of nursing school at St. David’s (which she proudly shared with any medical staff!).

Mertice met her husband Jim (James F.) Baker on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. While they were not initially attracted to each other, they fell in love and married June 1, 1950. They were married 52 years until Jim’s death in 2002. Mertice and Jim enjoyed traveling and camping with their Good Sam’s Club.

Mertice and Jim had four children Sylvia (Baker) Campbell (husband Greg), William Baker (wife Linda), Robert Baker (wife Bonnie), and Ruth (Baker Hooks) Cook (husband Roy).

While raising her own children, Mertice ran a day care in her home, caring for many, many children over the years. She loved these children, as evidenced by the many photos of them and Christmas cards from families.

In the 1970s Mertice was active in the Eastern Star Austin Chapter 304. She served as Worthy Matron in 1979. She was also a member in Beauceant.

Mertice was a long time member of the TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) organization where she enjoyed many friendships and support.

A lifelong Presbyterian, Mertice was baptized as an infant at First Southern Presbyterian (now Central Presbyterian) and last attended Covenant Presbyterian Church. She studied in Women’s Circles and Small Groups throughout the years. Her study notes and readings are extensive.

Mertice loved music! She sang in high school choirs, and she sang in church choirs from her childhood until her last 4 years of life.

As hobbies, Mertice enjoyed photography and oil painting, often painting photos that she took. She gifted each of her children with her original art.

After her children were grown, Mertice worked at the Texas State Library as an archivist, shooting film to microfiche state documents. One of her favorite (and most challenging) projects was filming the original Texas Land Grant documents. She retired from state service in August 1992.

From 1993-2002 Mertice returned to her first love, caring for children. She worked for Capital Grannies caring for children in their own homes. For years she kept in touch with many of these families. Any and every child she saw brought a smile to her face and a hug to her arms.

Mertice’s favorite children were her 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Jason Campbell (wife Janine; son Kaelen), Valerie Beeler (husband Andy; son Caden), Daniel Campbell (wife Leticia; son Ronan), Ryan Baker, Rachel Watt (husband Thomas; daughter Grace, son Thomas), Jessica Maholick (husband David; daughter Alaina, son Brodi, daughter Dannica), Robert Baker II (wife Christie), Kyle Hooks (wife Megan; daughters Leah, Zoe), Kendall Hooks (wife Victoria). She was absolutely delighted to learn great grandchild number 11 is in the works.

Mertice said she wasn’t ready to die. Her reason? She wanted to make sure her grandchildren and great grandchildren were raised right, and that they knew and loved Jesus.

You might call Mertice a prayer warrior. She loved Jesus and spent her last years in constant prayer for heavenly help. She prayed over the church bulletin prayer lists, she prayed faithfully in intercessory prayer during worship services and youth group meetings. There are MANY hand written notes in her bible and throughout her house listing prayer requests.

Mertice was preceded in death by her parents David Sherrod Woods and Jennie Marie (Mercier) Woods, her husband Jim Baker, and by her son Robert Baker, and Robert’s wife Bonnie.

Mertice had a sweet spirit and was loved by many. In her last days, friends and family gathered around her at Christopher House. The room was filled with prayer, laughter, singing, chatter, and constant words of love to her.

The family would like to give special thanks to Mertice’s friend, roommate, and caregiver Diana Clark. She cooked and cared well for Mertice, and regarded her as a second mom.

Memorial service is pending at Covenant Presbyterian Church. It will be a glorious celebration of her life after we are safely on the other side of this viral pandemic. Her ashes will be interred in a family ceremony at Cook-Walden Capital Park in Pflugerville, Tx next to her husband Jim.

Memorial gifts can be made in Mertice’s name to Covenant Presbyterian Church with designation to the Choir, Covenant Foundation, Street Youth Ministry, or the general fund. Mail memorials to 3003 Northland Dr Austin, Tx 78757. Give online at www.covenant.org/give.