MARY KATHERINE BAKER
CRANE: Mary Katherine Baker, 60 of Crane, passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at the Crane Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 23, 2009 at the Mary Street Church of Christ with Minister Mike Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Crane County Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bill Phipps, Pete Sandoval, Doug Damron, Wes Sanders, Ray North, and Jim Ray. Arrangements under the care and direction of Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home.
Mary was born on December 27, 1948 in Merkel, Texas. She had lived in Crane for 34 years. She married Billy C. Baker on July 27, 1981 in Crane. Mary received her Bachelors Degree from West Texas A & M; and her Master Degree from Sul Ross University. She was an elementary school teacher for 30 years, and had taught 27 years for the Crane Independent School District. Mary also had her private pilots license and enjoyed flying; however teaching was her passion.
Survivors include her husband, Billy C. Baker of Crane; three sons, Donald W. Baker of San Antonio, TX, Ronny L. Baker and his wife, Melissa of Columbus, TX, and James H. Baker and his wife Elizabeth of Crane; her mother, Ethel Barnett of Fort Stockton; two brothers, Tom Barnett of Miner Hill, TN, and Steven Barnett of Kemp, TX; and five grandchildren.