Mary Jo Baker, daughter of the late Kenneth A. Smith and Bessie E. Heselton Smith, was born March 31, 1936 in West Plains, Missouri. She went to be with the Lord December 27, 2023 at the age of 87 years.
She was united in marriage March 15, 1957, to the love of her life, Pare Daily “Ace” Baker, Jr., who preceded her in death March 18, 2020.
She is survived by two children, Vicky Deatherage and husband, Ted, West Plains, Missouri, and Kenny Baker and wife Jackie, West Plains, Missouri; six grandchildren, Samantha, Corey, Jazlynn, Kayla, Tonya, and Alec; four great grandchildren and one on the way, and a very special cousin, Linda DePriest.
She is preceded in death by her husband; parents, and one grandson Tim Baker.
She was employed at the Division Employment Security, and enjoyed her clients, improving their careers, and many times was reconnected with their success.
She loved her church family and was very active in all the church activities. She loved to garden, work in her flower beds, antiquing, and having tea parties with all her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Lawn Cemetery, West Plains, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
