Willie Mae Baker

January 20, 1934-October 1, 2026

A Time to Be Born:

Willie Mae Baker, affectionately known as Mah Dea and Nanny, was born on January 20, 1934, to the late Willie Frank Shears and Mary Emma Williamson in Lanett, Chambers County, Alabama. Willie Mae was the second child and only daughter born to this union.

A Time to Live:

Willie Mae attended public school in Lanett, Alabama where she played on her school's basketball team and became an outstanding player.

She accepted Christ at an early age. She was baptized and attended First Baptist Church in La Grange, Georgia.

On May 25, 1949, she married Tony Baker. Shortly after marriage she and Tony moved to LaGrange, Georgia where they created a beautiful family. Eight children were born; five daughters and three sons. In 1961, Tony, Willie Mae, and their eight children moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where they lived for several years.

In July 1974, Willie Mae and her two youngest children, Constance (Connie) and Alicia (Joyce), returned to her hometown of LaGrange, Georgia. While working two jobs at Tyler’s restaurant and Highland Country Club, Willie Mae enrolled in courses at Meadows College. Upon completion, she started her own business, Baker’s Income Tax Service, providing tax preparation for a vast number of LaGrange residents.

Willie Mae had exceptional culinary skills. Her cooking brought joy to everyone who sat at her table and she had an unrivaled talent for bringing people together through her food. She enjoyed completing both jigsaw and crossword puzzles, shopping, and gardening. Willie Mae was considered a shopaholic and often enjoyed afternoons of shopping at her favorite stores: Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls. She was an avid reader and had a large collection of novels. Willie Mae was an absolute treasure to her family; an angel on earth.

Willie Mae’s home was a warm and inviting place. Throughout the years her home was where many neighborhood kids gathered; friends of her children and even her grandchildren. Sometimes she would have to tell them to go home so their moms can remember what they looked like.

Willie Mae was a trendsetter. She didn’t care too much for the name Willie so she took it upon herself to change it to Willa.

A Time to Be with the Lord:

Willie Mae departed this life on the evening of Thursday, October 1, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents Willie Frank and Mary Emma Shears and her two brothers James Shears and Grady Lee (Larry) Shears.

Willie Mae’s legacy lives on forever in the hearts of her 8 children; Janice Golden, Roy (Bubba) Baker, David Baker, Andri (Stud) Baker, Audrey (Lulu) Grant, Katrina (Bea) Calmeise, Constance (Connie) Patterson, Alicia (Joyce) Reed, daughters -in- law, Deborah Baker and Vecky Jones, son- in- law Henry Reed, 20 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren, and a host of additional family and friends.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636