Christy Adele Baker

Christy Adele Baker, 70, retired psychological specialist and archaeologist, passed away suddenly but peacefully September 19 at home in Tallahassee. Christy was born and raised in Grenada, Mississippi. She attended the University of Mississippi, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and a master’s in Archaeology, and where she and Larry began their life-long romance. She later earned another master’s, this in psychology at Augusta State University. Christy was an archaeological excavation team member in Britain, conducted the Mississippi archaeological field survey of sites proposed for roads and bridges, and managed a group home for mentally handicapped children in Pennsylvania. The capstone of her professional career was psychological specialist for 21 years in the Forensic Service of Florida State Hospital.

Christy had wide interests. She was a talented artist and in her teens and twenties her paintings won numerous awards. She enjoyed yoga, vegetarian cooking, jogging, mystery novels, professional tennis, gardening, nature, a certain British time traveling Doctor, and anything to do with Ole Miss, archaeology, and especially her children. Her interest in cultures and history led her to travel literally around the world with her husband in tow and often with her children, who were elementary school when she introduced them to France, England, Egypt, Greece and Turkey.

Christy is survived by her loving husband of 31 years, Dr. Larry Annis; the lights of her life, her wonderful daughters Loren Adele MacNeil Annis and Catherine Laurel Annis of Tallahassee; sisters, Cathy Ball Ward of Mendenhall, Mississippi, and Judy Key Clark of Greenwood, Mississippi; brother, Alan Chris Ball, of Pueblo, Colorado; a host of in-laws, nephews and nieces; and the family puppies and kitties, Sadie, Sabelle, Lawli and Luna. Christy was preceded in death by her parents, Alonzo Chris Ball and Marjorie Key of Grenada, and her first husband, Bill Baker of Memphis, Tennessee.

Christy was a kind and caring mother, wife and friend. She looked at life as an adventure to be lived to the fullest. We will miss Christy’s smiles, laughter, and boundless energy. We will carry her forever in our minds and hearts.

Friends and neighbors will gather Sunday from 1:00-3:00 pm Sunday at the Culley’s Meadowwood Funeral Home, Riggins Road Chapel.