Esther Louise Tubbs-Baker, age 88, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away peacefully at 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026. She was born to Ira Fielding Cox and Grace Darling Cox in Alliance, Nebraska.

Esther lived a vibrant life centered around community service and an adventurous spirit. She grew up in Meadville, Missouri, before moving to St. Louis to achieve her goal of graduating from Nursing School. Known to family and friends as a fun-loving woman who loved life, Esther was an avid traveler who successfully visited all 50 states, as well as Germany, Australia, Holland, Mexico, and the Bahamas. She was also deeply involved in civic life as a proud member of the Elks Lodge #409 and the Ladies Auxiliary Club in Springfield.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Grace Cox; her brothers, John Cox and her sisters, Joanne Creason and Jean Triplett; her sons, Louis Tubbs & Kim Lindner; her son-in-law, Willis Vessell; her daughter-in-law, Faith Lindner; and her husbands, Marvin Lindner, Kenneth Tubbs, Jim Baker, and Doin Loftis.

Esther's proud legacy lives on through her surviving family, including her daughter, Debbie Vessell of Ava, Missouri; her son, Kenny Tubbs and his wife Rosie of Ava, Missouri; her daughter, Terrie Parrott and her husband Terry of Camdenton, Missouri; and her son, Arvin Ray and his wife Diane Lindner of Holden, Missouri. Esther leaves behind a sprawling lineage that she cherished deeply, including 14 grandchildren (Jason Bain, Tammy Lockhart, Tyee Parrott, Bre Russell, Ashley Udell, Chase Lindner, Eric Russell, Billie Ann Vessell-Pattschull, Chris Tubbs, David Tubbs, Robin Lindner, Martina Ritezn, Kimberlie Parks, and Jose Gomez), 27 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren that she was truly blessed with.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at the Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, officiated by Reverend Chaplain John Phillips. Burial will follow at Rivermonte Cemetery. Following will be a Celebration of life Luncheon at the Elks Lodge of Springfield, Mo.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in her honor to the Elks Lodge #409 of Springfield, Mo.