Frances G Baker

Frances Baker joined her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the early hours on Wednesday May 20, 2026, in Lecanto, Florida just days before her 94th birthday.

Born June 1, 1932, in Sarasota, Florida Frances was the sole surviving child of Captain John Samuel Bishop (Annie Mae Stowe) of Palma Sola, Florida, the youngest of seven siblings. Her grandfather, Asa Bishop (Martha Andress) was a pioneer of Manatee County and homesteaded what is now called “Bishop’s Point” on the Manatee River.

Frances was nicknamed “Sugar” early on and was called that by old time residents of the County all her life. From her father, a commercial fisherman and her mother, a registered nurse, she learned the skills that guided her for the rest of her life.

Frances married Walter L Baker, Jr (LTC, Retired US Army) in 1951 and was stationed in Texas, the Panama Canal Zone, Louisiana, Verona Italy, Ft Leavenworth, Kansas, and Ft Gordon Georgia. Walter Baker was one of the few officers in the Army to have been in Korea the day the Korean War started.

Walter and Frances raised five sons and were married until Walter’s death in 1999, a total of 47 years.

While a dedicated housewife, Frances loved volunteering at hospitals on the bases where they were stationed. She was a Cub Scout leader, planted vegetable gardens, spent countless hours in the greenhouse and vigorously supported her sons athletic, academic and extracurricular activities.

In 1969 Walter and Frances returned to Manatee County and both worked in print advertising.

She had a great love for God’s creation especially fond of dogs, birds and plants. She had a number of hobbies and loved to share her expertise in sewing, gardening and crochet.

Frances is predeceased by her husband Walter, oldest son Captain Walter L Baker, III, USN and grandson Joshua. She is survived by her sons Phillip (Dianna) Palmetto, Florida; David, Lecanto, Florida; Jerry, Lecanto, Florida and Paul (Cathy) Beverly Hills, Florida; 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

By her wishes there will be no formal services.