Myrtis Lenore Baker

Myrtis Lenore Baker, 88, of Abilene, passed away on May 2nd, 2013. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, May 5th at Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 6th at First Baptist Church Chapel, Abilene with Dr. Phil Christopher, Palmer McCown, and Bob Weissinger, officiating. A private burial will precede the memorial service at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene where she will be laid to rest beside her late husband, James E. “Jim Baker.” Myrtis Lenore Baker was born in Ophelia, Mississippi to William Sidney Torrence and Charlie “Pearl” Smith on August 28th, 1924. She married James Edward Baker on January 7th, 1944 in Jackson, Mississippi. Myrtis “Gran” Baker was a dedicated wife and mother, and a loving, sweet spirit for her precious grandchildren and great grandchildren. Abilene was home to Myrtis and her husband, Jim, for sixteen years before his death on May 6th, 2009. They were members of First Baptist Church where they served for many years as greeters and ushers. For those sixteen years they were virtually inseparable as they poured their love and their energy into their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In life she wrapped her loving arms around her family and was lovingly surrounded and held by the hands of her family when she passed from this earth. Myrtis Baker was preceded in death by her parents, William Torrence and Pearl Smith; four brothers, William, J.B., Oley, and Gilbert Torrence; and her husband, James Edward Baker. Myrtis Baker is survived by her sister, Marguerite May of Brandon, Mississippi; two daughters, Diane Cole and her husband J.L. of Abilene, and Donnie Rinn of Rockdale; a son-in-law, John Rinn, also of Rockdale; seven grandchildren, Jimmy Cole and wife Anjani of Abilene, John Cole and wife Marci of Abilene, Andrew Cole and wife Janelle of Abilene, Jenny Rinn and husband Kelley of California, Julie Campbell and husband Trey of New Braunfels, Lee Rinn and wife Jennifer of Bryan College Station, and Paul Rinn of Austin; and fourteen great grandchildren. Memorials may be made in honor of Myrtis Baker to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605, or to First Baptist Church Missions, P.O. Box 85, Abilene, TX 79604. The family of Myrtis Baker wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Barry Moak, the staff of the “Bluebonnet” wing at Windcrest Alzheimers Care Center, and the staff of Hospice of the Big Country.