Anita Baca Atkins

May 13, 1922 – October 28, 2016

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love of her family. It gives us great comfort to know she is at peace and reunited with her heavenly family.

Anita was born Mildred Lorrane Baca in Pueblo, Colorado to Arthur Filadelfo Baca and Aleene Sophia Stocking, the second of four children, and was baptized Mildred Anita Baca on June 25, 1922. Anita was raised in Taos, New Mexico, a place dear to her heart. It was there that she met her future husband Odell Olin Atkins. Anita and Odell were married in Walla Walla, Washington on June 29, 1944. They started their married life together farming in Cut Bank, Montana where daughters Karen Aleene (Rado) and Jacquelyn Jayne (Silva) were born (1947/1950). In the spring of 1952 Anita followed her husband to Alaska, he driving their truck and Anita, pregnant with their third child, driving herself and their two small daughters. The newly open Alaskan highway was not an easy drive back then and complications arose. In March of 1952 at Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada their third child, Christina Maria Atkins was born and died. It was a very difficult begining for a new life in Alaska. Odell and Anita went on to settle in Fairbanks, Alaska where their son Turner Jay was born (1953). Their next move was to Las Vegas, Nevada where daughter Barbara Dale was born (1955). They then returned to Cut Bank Montana where son Thomas Odell was born (1958). We are told that after Thomas was born mom wanted to live some place warm and dad gave her a choice of Florida or California. She chose California because Florida had alligators. Their final move was in 1959 to San Diego, California where daughter Sherry Lynn (Scofield) was born (1960).

During her life in San Diego, besides raising her youngest children as a single parent, Anita worked a short time as a nurse’s aide, and then for more than 20 years as a military seamstress at the Naval Training Center in San Diego now known as Liberty Station. After retirement Anita helped raise her grandchildren and great grandchildren who all call her GG, for Goodest Gram, and Great Grandmother.

Anita is preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Christina Marie, her sister Corinne Greer, and husband Odell. Anita is survived by six of her seven children, her sister Dolores Dunaway of Lakewood, Co, her brother Arthur Baca and sister-in-law Susannah Baca of Bonita Ca; eight grandchildren Joanne Genovese, Katherine Martes, Christina Nolan, Gary Ethington, Vincent Silva, Melissa Larson-Ramaglia, Zachary and Allison Scofield; 15 great grandchildren Joshua, Michael, Samantha, Lauren, Mackenzie, Jacob, Christian, Dillon, Ariel, Thomas, Alexandra, Taylor, Michael, Jeffrey, and Joseph; and two great-great grandchildren Alexa and Anthony Jr.

A memorial service to celebrate Anita’s life will be held at 10am on November 9, 2016 at Santa Sophia Church in Casa de Oro. Flowers for Anita can be sent to Santa Sophia Church, 9800 San Juan Street, Spring Valley, Ca 91977-1421. A reception for family and friends will follow the memorial service.

It is with enormous gratitude that Anita’s family would like to send their sincere heartfelt thank you(s) to the Sharp Hospital Hospice team who gave such wonderful care to our mother, our GG, and supported our family when we needed it most. God bless you all.