Jean Williams Baker

Jean Williams Baker, 93, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and cherished friend to many, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2024. Jean leaves behind a legacy of love, devotion, and an adventurous spirit that touched all who knew her. Jean's life was defined by her boundless energy, her passion for enriching the lives of others, and her remarkable devotion to her friends and loved ones.

Jean was born on August 19, 1931, in Rochester, NY, to George and Grace Williams and grew up in Penfield, NY, with brothers Lynn and Jim. Jean worked at Eastman Kodak in her 20s, where she made lasting friendships. After she married in 1957, she moved to Tullahoma, TN, where she lived until 2021 before moving to Germantown, TN, to be close to her daughter, Eileen.

Jean's devotion to her family was unparalleled. As a wife, she was a loving and caring partner, and as a mother, she was a role model of strength, compassion, and resilience. Jean’s greatest joy was her role as matriarch of the Baker family. She cherished every moment with her daughter, Eileen, and son, Mike, guiding them with wisdom and grace. Both her children carried through them an inherited ability from Jean to light up any room with laughter and a contagious zeal for life.

A woman of many talents, Jean excelled in a variety of hobbies that brought her immense joy. She was a passionate gardener, with a green thumb that turned every space she touched into a vibrant oasis. She impressed her children and grandchildren with her near encyclopedic knowledge of all things organic or blooming. Her incredible talent for dancing was the stuff of legend. Jean’s skill at card playing and golfing was unparalleled, always bringing a competitive yet fun energy to every game. Mention of dancing, golfing, and card playing warrants mention of her partner in these and all things in life, Donald Baker. Jean was a devoted wife to Don, raising two children together and generally being two parts of the same soul infusing whatever situation they were in with energy, love and laughter.

Jean’s adventurous spirit was not confined to her personal pursuits. She was an accomplished world traveler, undeterred by dropping into foreign places like Australia, Cancun, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, and even Russia, and adept at making friends and capturing stories everywhere she went. But it was Jean's commitment to her community that truly defined her. She was a tireless volunteer, giving her time and energy to numerous charitable causes. Jean also devoted countless hours to her Methodist ministry, always giving her heart and soul to those she served.

Jean's devotion as a grandmother was legendary. She was known for spoiling her grandchildren with homemade chocolate chip cookies and creating unforgettable memories by taking them to the arcade and playground and reading countless stories with them. Her love and care knew no bounds, and her grandchildren will forever treasure the special moments they spent with her.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Eileen Scrivener (Mitchell); grandchildren Paige McMillan (Andrew) and Hunter Scrivener; nieces Jackie Barragato (Nate) and Mickey Freida (Ron); and sister-in-law Judy Williams. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald, son Mike, and grandson Bradley and will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Jean was a resilient and strong matriarch, and the world is not likely to see one as unique as her again. She suffered tremendous loss with grace, she provided love and care to those in need, and she made life more fun for everyone lucky enough to know her.

A private service at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma, TN, will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Jean’s name, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

Jean's legacy of love, laughter, and unwavering devotion will live on forever in the hearts of her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched.