Willa Maxine Baker, 95, was born August 9, 1926 in Springfield, Missouri, to Marion and Yewell Brayfield.  She passed from her earthly life to her heavenly home on February 8, 2022.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, four sisters, and her granddaughter Tiffany.  She is survived by her daughter Betty Kay Chapman and her husband Larry of Watkinsville, Georgia, her sons Steve of Springfield. Missouri, and Tim and his wife Deni of Strafford, Missouri, 10 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, one sister Shirley Gruhn of Springfield, many nieces and nephews, and friends.

Maxine, or Mac as she was often called, grew up in a household where she was Marion and Yewell's firstborn.  Her first job was at a local creamery where a coworker invited her to church.  At Boulevard Baptist Church she received Christ as her personal Savior and followed Him the rest of her life.  It was at Boulevard where she met a young man who had recently returned from the war.  Paul Baker became her husband on January 24, 1947.  They were married for over fifty years, faithfully serving the Lord in this church and community.  Maxine loved her husband and family, her siblings and their families, and her church family.  She enjoyed sewing, making quilts, reading, and watching Matlock, Judge Judy, and old John Wayne movies on TV.  She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Her celebration of life will be at Boulevard Baptist Church, on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, with visitation at 4:00 PM and the celebration beginning at 4:30 PM.  Services will also be live-streamed.  Burial will be at a later date at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery.