Gertrude Louise (Fox) Baker earned her angel wings on June 25, 2026, in Booneville, Arkansas, after many battles with her health for the last few years. She was born on January 17, 1936, in Kensington, Maryland, at Aunt Eb’s house during a snowstorm to parents, Archie Wilbur and Alice Lorraine (Locker) Fox. Raised in rural Maryland, she married Ronnie Baker in 1954 and they had three children, Roxanne, Ron Jr., and Renee.
In 1975, they sold their house in Maryland, bought a motor home and took the two youngest on a trip across America, eventually finding the Washburn General Store and relocating to Arkansas. After several years, the store was sold and they moved to a farm in the area. Over the years, their oldest daughter also moved to Arkansas and eventually, Gertrude’s parents and other family members relocated as well.
Gertrude, often referred to as “Trudy”, enjoyed the farm life, crafting hobbies, fishing, puzzles, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had many neighbors, family and friends that she also enjoyed visiting with. She also loved her Dachshunds! She raised Dachshunds for a time but during the last few years, her heart belonged to Cooper and Cooper was there to say goodbye to her at the end.
She is survived by her children, Roxanne (Wayne) Kneessi, Ronald (Marcia) W. Baker, and Renee (Allen) Fuller, her grandchildren, Jennifer (Matt) Leftwich, Holly (Eric) Townley, Alex (Stephanie) Fuller, Megan (Karl) Hemerlein, Jason (Tayler) Fuller, Kevin (Abby) Baker, Cody Baker, and Joel Aaron Fuller, along with many great-grandchildren and her nephews, Rick Beneze, Andrew Beneze, Christopher Thye and niece, Donna Riggs. Her niece, Kim (Fox) Gouge, was a huge help to Gertrude, helping with errands, walking Cooper and giving her manicures. Kim was like a third daughter to her. Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald W. Baker; her parents, Arch and Lorraine Fox; her sisters, Bet and Bunnie; brother, Billy and nephew, William Fox.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 9 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood, where the family will visit with friends beginning at 1 p.m.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
