Johnnie Baker

Johnnie Faye Baker passed away September 27, 2020 in Waco, Texas. She was born October 19, 1932, on the family farm, outside of Tahoka, Texas to John Weeden and Annie Bell Bacon Bynum. She was the youngest of six children. The Dust Bowl in west Texas, caused the family to move to Quemado, Texas where Johnnie later attended school in Eagle Pass, graduating in 1951. Her family moved to Big Lake in 1952, where she worked as a telephone operator.

Johnnie met and married her first husband James Barnes in 1953. They started a family and she took great pride in raising their children, Craig, Kurt, and Leann. She spent many years being a room parent and worked countless hours in the school concession stands. When her husband’s illness and death in 1978 forced her to return to work, she joined lifelong friend, Louise Matthews, in her Hallmark gift shop. Johnnie worked at Matthew’s Gift Shop until her retirement.

In 1982, she married Thomas Baker of Midkiff, Texas. They enjoyed playing golf, traveling, and attending sports events until his death in 1996. She was a strong, independent woman. She loved to play golf and enjoyed genealogy. Johnnie took great pride in being a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She loved being Mimi to her grandchildren and was often seen at school parties taking pictures.

Johnnie was a member of First Baptist Church, Big Lake. After retirement, she volunteered in their Thursday School program. She was an active member of the Big Lake Trail Blazers and delivered Meals on Wheels. Johnnie also volunteered at the Reagan County Care Center.

Johnnie was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Willis Bynum, Chloe Reeves, Lena Young, Asa Bynum, and Willie Nell Stone. Her son, Craig in 1975, husband James in 1978, son Kurt in 1992, and husband Thomas in 1996.

She is survived by her daughter Leeann Vetter (Bob), Kurt’s daughter Amanda (Jerry), and Thomas’s children, Marvin Baker (Kay), John Baker, Lea Ella Arenivas (Angel), Thomas Baker (Fara) and Emmit Baker (Beatrice). She leaves behind grandchildren Amanda; Allison, Ashton, and Austin; Betsy, Emily, and Caroline; Omar, Mary, and Mark; Gunnar, Seth, and Sterling; Jennifer, Ethan, and their mother Kenda Baker. She is also survived by several great grandchildren.

A celebration of Johnnie’s life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, Oct. 3rd, at First Baptist Church, Big Lake. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the children’s department of First Baptist Church Big Lake or to the International Mission Board, World Missions. The family would like to thank the wonderful care friends and staff at Arbor House Memory Care in Waco, along with Texas Home Health Hospice. They would also like to thank the homebound ministry workers from Meadowbrook Baptist Church.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10