Dora Baker

Dora E. “Doris” Stopgate Baker, 96 years old, Springfield, passed away at Springfield Villa Nursing Facility on October 2, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. Born July 5, 1922 in Pontypool, Wales, Dora spent much of her childhood in London, England.

Like many of her generation, the Great Depression (“Great Slump” in England), and World War II were both events that shaped her life. As a young woman, Dora answered the call to serve in the British military Women’s Auxiliary Air Force “WAAF or Wafts”, where she would meet the love of her life, Julius Arden Baker. They married in 1945 at St. Julius the Martyr Catholic Church, Newport, Wales, and enjoyed nearly 56 years together before his passing in 2001.

Her Catholic upbringing and faith would be a sustaining force for Dora as she crossed the ocean to join her new husband in a new, very different life. They settled on a farm in the Laclede/Wright County, MO area, and their son, Vernon Lee Baker was born to them before the family moved for a brief period to California, and then to Springfield, MO. They remained in Springfield for the rest of their lives, where Julius “Arden” was employed at Lily-Tulip. Dora became a naturalized US citizen in 1957, a proud accomplishment for her.

Dora took her duties as wife, mother, and later grandmother and great-grandmother very seriously. She demonstrated her faith to her family through her dedication to the St. Joseph Catholic Choir, and later the St. Agnes Choir, as well as other church activities. Her involvement in the choir gave her great joy.

Dora’s contagious sense of humor helped her to make many friends, and she formed lifelong friendships in the Overseas Wives Club of Springfield. She was thrifty, and she and Arden loved to attend and hold garage sales. They enjoyed their life together and spent several years helping care for Arden’s parents who briefly lived in the house next door to them.

In addition to her parents and husband, Dora was preceded in death by her grandson, Randall Scott Baker. She is survived by son Vernon (Lynne) Baker, grandchildren Tracy Miller, Kristin (Jeff) McDaniel, and Jessica (Aaron) Davis, great-grandchildren Jackson, Cooper, and Lainey McDaniel, and Amber Davis, niece Gere Lynn (Buzz) Masters, and nephew Stephen (Kristine) Wageman.

Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2018 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield. Funeral Mass will be at St. Agnes Cathedral at 10:00 a.m. on October 6, 2018, with burial at Resurrection Cemetery, Springfield.

The family wishes to thank Mercy Villa (now Springfield Villa) for the excellent care given to Dora during her final years