Joy Eileen Baker

Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Joy Eileen Baker, age 89, departed this life on September 27, 2017 in Springfield, MO. Born September 15, 1928, in Terre Haute, IN, Joy was the second child of Fay and Gladys Pittenger. In 1946, she graduated from Gerstmeyer High School in Terre Haute. In 1949, she graduated from Midwest Bible College in St. Louis, where she lived and worked with a pastor and family performing Jewish missions. She was accepted into the nursing program at Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, where she was awarded the Gold Key and a scholarship to the University of Missouri as class valedictorian. She received training at the University and completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Drury College. On June 9, 1956, Joy was united in marriage to Kenneth F Baker. This union produced three sons and nine grandchildren. As a registered nurse, Joy taught for 30 years in the Springfield School System where she worked at the former Graff Vocational Technical School, teaching in the LPN program. Faith and family were the cornerstones of Joy's life. She also enjoyed baking, line dancing, and playing cardgames and dominoes with friends and family. She loved spending winters in Venice, FL. Joy was preceded in death by her father, mother, one brother Jim, and a sister Connie. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Ken Baker. She is also survived by her sons: Dr. Brad Baker of Chesterfield, Missouri, his fiancee Esra Uysal, and his children Rachel, Sarah, Erica, and Christian; Brian Baker of Rochester, Illinois and his sons Alexander and Matthew; and Bruce Baker and his wife Michele and their daughters Claire, Autumn, and Vivien of Linn, Missouri; a sister-in-law Barbara Pittenger of Terre Haute, IN, and a host of other family members and friends. Visitation will be held Friday, October 6, 2017 beginning at 3:30 PM at Adams Funeral Home in Ozark, MO, followed by a funeral service at 5:00 PM. A graveside service will be held Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 10 AM at Oklahoma Church of Christ Cemetery, Linn, MO.