Laginia (Finch) Baker

Laginia Margaret Finch Baker passed peacefully at Baylor Dallas Medical Center on September 19, 2019, surrounded by loving family.  Celebration of Life will be 11 am, Monday, September 23, 2019, at Granbury Church of Christ.  Visitation will be one hour prior to service.  Interment will be a private ceremony at Clifton Memorial Park in Clifton, Texas. 

Laginia was born on February 15, 1940, to the late Floy Lee Finch and Alma Florence Armstrong Finch in Itasca, Texas.  After a few years, Laginia and family moved to Cleburne, Texas, and later to a farm in Osceola, Texas, where she started school and attended through the third grade.  The rural school which was not air-conditioned consisted of a one-room classroom which accommodated all students, a wooden stove to provide heat, and sturdy, wooden student desks. 

Laginia took piano lessons as a child, and in later years could play the Boogie-Woogie and rattle the ivories like nothing you have ever seen!  Favorite memories from living on a farm at the edge of town included:  walking to school, helping her mother can corn, tending to the turkeys, using an icebox that was cooled with a big block of ice for refrigeration, and heating water on the stove, in order to take a bath in the cool metal tub that was placed in the kitchen.     

Laginia and family then moved to Mayfield, Texas, where she enjoyed spending time on the front porch swing where she could breathe in the aromatic smell of mint her mother grew at the end of the porch which was sometimes used in their iced tea.  Entertainment at home consisted of the family gathering in the kitchen to listen to their favorite radio programs. Otherwise, on Saturday nights her family would gather with friends where the adults would play 42 and the children would play card games like canasta and monopoly.  Laginia was able to attend fourth through twelfth grade in Itasca since Mayfield was nearby.  At the age of 11, Laginia was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Itasca on August 19, 1951.        

In 1951, her family later moved to Lovelace, Texas, where they purchased a nice-sized farm, and she was able to continue her education in Itasca.  It was here that she remembers the new experience of having a home phone, an indoor bathroom, and a water cooler to keep them cool during warm, summer nights, as they were working in the fields during the day.  Their house was heated during the winter months with one gas stove in the living room and one in the dining room.  Many of her clothes were made by her precious mother who also taught her how to sew.    

Laginia’s first job was at Kresses Department Store in Hillsboro, Texas, where she cleared about $2 each Saturday.  As a senior in high school, Laginia won the title of Miss Maypeal, and her handsome escort was her future husband, Gerald Baker, who she had just started dating.  Other titles awarded to her were FFA Sweetheart and Prettiest Girl.  Additionally, Laginia enjoyed being in the pep squad for the Itasca Wampus Cats.     

During her senior year of high school, Laginia and Gerald eloped to Kaufman, Texas, where they were married by the Justice of the Peace.  This would be the beginning of their 62-year marriage.

The first year they were married they received $100 from their Income Tax with which she bought a Singer sewing machine which she used her entire life.  Laginia gave birth to their first child, Teresa Lynn, in Arlington, Texas.  Later, she, Teresa, and Gerald moved to Fort Stewart, Georgia, where Gerald reported to his first duty station.  After 17 months, he received a hardship release from the Army so he could return to Hillsboro to help family with the harvesting season, especially combining maize.  After moving back home, approximately three months later, their second child, Laginia Yvonne, was born.  A while later, the young couple moved to Colorado City, Texas, for Gerald’s first Highway Patrol assignment.  It was here that their third child, Tamlyn Ray, was born.   

Years later, the family moved to Temple, Texas, and Laginia worked at Scott & White Hospital in the Orthopedic Department as a medical secretary.  She dearly loved this job as it was extremely fulfilling and interesting to her.

Eventually, the family moved to Clifton, Texas, where Laginia worked for Farmers State Bank which later went through five more name changes until it became Bank of America.  Here, Laginia made many lifelong friends with her co-workers and customers.  She eventually retired on May 31, 2001, after 31 years of loyal service. 

In 1981, Laginia and Gerald built a home on acreage in the Womack Community outside of Clifton where they raised livestock and enjoyed the peace and quiet of country life. 

On June 3, 2015, Laginia moved to Granbury, Texas, where she could be closer to Gerald who resides in an assisted living home following a stroke, and her eldest daughter, Teresa, who lives just two blocks away. 

After retirement from the banking industry, Laginia enjoyed traveling the United States from the west coast to the east coast.  She loved seeing new places, and meeting interesting people from all over the world.  She also continued sewing and quilting as she made special quilts for each of her children.  She was an excellent cook, and loved most being with family and friends.  After moving to Granbury she enjoyed working with the First Responders lunch, the Opera Guild, the Newcomer’s Club, and the Granbury Civic Choir.  She especially enjoyed the Ladies Bible Class, small group Bible studies, and the fellowship of friends she ate with after church on Wednesday nights.  Laginia was a true woman of God, family, integrity, and high morals.     

Laginia is preceded in death by her parents, Floy and Alma Finch and a sister-in-law, Jane Finch.  She is survived by her husband, Gerald Baker; son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Johna Baker; daughters and sons-in-law Teresa and John Campbell; Yvonne and Roger Anz; granddaughter, Ashley Anz, and five grandsons: Preston Anz, wife Leah and their daughter, Lily; Taylor Campbell and girlfriend, Sarah McFarland, and his sons Nolan and Ben; Tanner Campbell and fiancé, Mikayla Bush; Gavin Baker and Jackson Baker.  Laginia is also survived by her beloved sister Joann and husband Doyle Underwood; adored brother Billy Finch, and their respective families and extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials are made to Granbury Church of Christ with designation of First Responder Lunch Fund.  1905 West Pearl Street, Granbury, TX 76048.  

Proverbs 3:15-18 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.

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