Shirley Jean Baker

Shirley Jean Baker of Hominy, passed from this life to her heavenly home on Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa at the age of seventy-six. Shirley was born on July 29, 1936 in Picher, Oklahoma; she was the daughter of Galen P. and Marvelle Frances (Best) Messer. She was raised and received her early childhood education in Picher. As her family followed pipeline construction throughout the United States, Shirley attended school in many locations throughout the completion of her education. Shirley met Bob Baker on a pipeline construction project in Hugo, Colorado and the couple later moved to Ogden, Iowa where they were united in marriage on October 10, 1953. They continued to follow pipeline projects over the next twelve years as Bob was employed on these projects and then finally relocated to Miami, Oklahoma. The couple had three children, Bobby, Owanna, and Lisa. While residing in Miami, Shirley was an active member of the Ottawa Indian Baptist Church. She spent countless hours serving as a chapel volunteer at the Baptist Regional Medical Center in Miami and through her extensive knowledge of Godís word was considered a bible scholar. Although she dedicated her life to her family as a homemaker, Shirley often assisted in the operation of family owned businessí in Miami including the Fina Service Station and the Shawnee Grocery Store. Following the coupleís retirement, they moved to Hominy, Oklahoma in 2009. Shirley enjoyed oil painting and loved spending time on Grand Lake boating and skiing. Her favorite pastime, however, was spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed vegetable gardening and canning. Shirley is survived by her husband of nearly forty-nine years, Bob Baker of the home; three children, Bobby Baker and his wife, Shannon of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Owanna Schuler and her husband, Tony of Hominy, Oklahoma, and Lisa Baker of Joplin, Missouri; five grandchildren, Cassie Fisher, Joe Dan Baker, Kathie Abbott, Levi Edens, and Rex Whisner; four great-grandchildren, Taeah and Piper Fisher, Gunner and Rilynn Baker; two brothers, brother, Galen Messer of Indian Springs, Nevada and Lynn Messer of Greys Lake, Illinois; and a sister, Janice Dawson of Miami, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her parents, Galen P. and Marvelle Frances Messer; a brother, Dennis Messer; and a sister, Billie Lacy. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, September 13, 2012 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Yowell officiating. Burial will follow at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.