Hazel Lola (Mills) Baker was born the daughter of Walter T. Mills and Bertha (Strain) Mills on August 17, 1916, in Oregon County, Missouri, and departed this life on March 1, 2014, at Miller County Care and Rehabilitation Center in Tuscumbia, Missouri, at the age of 97 years.
She was united in marriage at Alton, Missouri on November 20, 1935, to Ray James Baker, who preceded her in death on September 16, 1964.
She is survived by one son, Joe W. Baker and wife, Phyllis of Eldon, Missouri; one daughter, Ruth M. Kelley of Daphne, Alabama; one daughter-in-law, Gail Baker of Stoutland, Missouri; four granddaughters, Cindy Grob, Vicki Kirkman, Donna Greif, and Sonja Blackburn; one grandson, Joseph Baker; four great grandsons; five great granddaughters; one sister, Nola Willoughby of Bartlett, Texas; several nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walt and Bertha Mills; her husband, Ray Baker; one son, James W. “Jim” Baker; son-in-law, Patrick Kelley; three brothers, Ralph Mills, Frank Mills, and Glenn Mills; and one infant sister.
Hazel was a Christian lady and a member of the Broadway Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri.
She was an excellent seamstress; sewing as a hobby and making her living by doing professional clothing alterations. She loved her family, the beauty of nature, and working in her garden.
Hazel will be remembered as a lady with a kind heart and sweet spirit. She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral services will be Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 2:00 PM in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer, Missouri.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Thayer on Friday, March 7th from 6:00 until 7:30 PM.
Burial will be in the Cave Springs Cemetery near Alton, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.