Annie Lou (Walker) Baker

Obituary

Annie L. Baker was born on April 26, 1928, to Houston and Catherine Walker in Cairo, Georgia. She received her education in Grady County, where she graduated from Washington Consolidated High School, then attended Fort Valley State College in Fort Valley, Georgia, later moved to Miami, Florida, and married Joe McKenzie. They remained married until his death, upon which time she moved back to Georgia.

She accepted Christ into her life in her early adult years and began to grow and flourish as a new Christian. She later met and married Deacon Moses Baker. They enjoyed serving the Lord together in the Firstborn Church of the Living God in Pine Park, Georgia, until his death. Then Mother Baker joined the Firstborn Church of Thomasville where she served diligently as an adult Sunday School Teacher, district missionary, and faithful member. She was known for her lively singing, playing the tambourine, and praying for others.

After many years as a homemaker, Mother Baker’s love for children awarded her the opportunity to start a career in home childcare. She provided excellent love, care, and discipline in a fun environment for decades to children of working mothers. She was affectionately known as “Ma Baker” to the children she nurtured.

Many of her neighbors and friends came to know her as one loving to work in her yard long hours. It was not unusual to see her early in the morning until late evenings out in the yard raking and keeping her yard tidy. She also believed in and keeping an immaculate home. She loved cleanliness and order at all times and in all her spaces. No eating in her car.

Later in life, Mother Baker would develop a disease that slowly robbed her of her memory as wellas her ability to care for herself. The decline rendered her unable to even remember her children’s names. Yet, despite what was taken, we were amazed that God in His great grace allowed her the ability to remember the name Jesus and how to pray. Mother Baker kept her relationship with the Lord intact until He called her name on Monday morning, May 22, 2023, to come into His presence. She finally has a new body, healthy mind, and joy forever.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Houston and Catherine Walker; and sisters, Ossie Taylor, Dorothy Young, and Merylene Everett.

She leaves a legacy of faith in God and prayer to her children, James McKenzie (JoeVondel) of Boston, Georgia, Connie Stafford of Thomasville, Georgia, and Alfred Baker (Gloria) of Stone Mountain, Georgia; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and many loyal family/church members and friends.