Edith Baker

Edith Estelle Baker, 91, of Kempner, Texas, formerly of Chico, Texas, passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2012 in Harker Heights, Texas. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, July 20, 2012 at Chico Cemetery. Larry Whitaker will officiate. Visitation will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 PM Thursday, July 19, 2012 at Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport, Texas. Edith was born March 7, 1921, in Bowie, Texas to Myrtle Ann (Turnbow) and Johnny Ray Stephens. She married Louie Elston Baker on August 31, 1941, and together they raised five children. She was very active as a volunteer in Chico ISD and held offices in the local, district, state, and national Board of the Parents Teachers Association. She was solicited by President Jimmy Carter to be a voice for his progressive National Education Bill. She will be remembered as a community and human rights activist. She was involved with the Texas Historical Commission, Federated Women's Study Club, Texas Commission on the Arts, and Red Hatter (Diva Dames). From 1975 - 2007, she hosted the Chico High School Senior Girls Luncheon. She and Lavonia Hawkins facilitated the organization and development of the first community library in Chico. In 2005, she was presented with the "Angel Among Us Award" and in 2007 she was given the "City of Chico Lifetime Achievement Award." She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth. Her personal motto throughout her life was "Always Make A Difference." Edith loved large social gatherings with family and friends, reading, school events, scrapbooking, sewing, creative writing, playing canasta, forty-two and Scrabble, the arts, gardening, collecting antiques, cooking and many other activities. She is survived by four children: Elston Dale, Tommy Durrett, Beverly Jane, and Stan-Lee Ray; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and thirteen great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, oldest son Randall Glenn, daughter-in-law, sister, one great-grandchild, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Association, North Central Texas Chapter, 2630 West Freeway Suite 100, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.