Evelyn Martha Baker
November 3, 1925 — October 31, 2014
Evelyn M. Baker
Evelyn Martha Baker of Eureka, formerly of Toronto, died on October 31, 2014 at the Eureka Nursing Center at the age of 88.
Evelyn was the eldest daughter of Leo Alfred and Mildred (Stone) Harris. She was born on November 3, 1925 in Yates, Center Kansas. The family moved to the oil boom town of Phillips, Texas in 1929 where she entered school and began piano lessons at the age of 5. This began a life-long love of music and, at the age of 9, vocal and instrumental accompanying.
In 1936 the family moved to Toronto, Kansas, to establish the Harris Grocery; and Evelyn entered the 6th grade. There were many opportunities in the music field in the Toronto school. She was a 1943 graduate of Toronto High School and a 1947 graduate of the Kansas City Conservatory of Music. While there she continued accompanying, played for a children’s dance studio and taught in the Conservatory Preparatory School. Evelyn had a degree in piano and a Masters in composition.
On June 15, 1947, Evelyn married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth J. Baker, at the Toronto Methodist Church. They resided in Toronto, and she taught piano lessons until the birth of their son in 1951. The family moved to the Baker farm in Greenwood County in 1953.
For 60 plus years, Evelyn served as pianist, choir director and director of children’s music in the Toronto United Methodist Church, particularly enjoying the Christmas programs by the choir and children.
Besides the church, Evelyn was a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota International Honorary Music Fraternity for Women, Toronto American Legion Auxiliary, and enjoyed working with the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Pleasant Hour Study Club, the Extension Homemaker’s Unit and 4H.
Evelyn his survived by her son Kip Baker of Toronto, two grandsons, Corey and Andrew Baker of Toronto and three grandchildren, Blaine, Caylee and Cassidy Baker; sister, Nancy Scarborough of Winchester, TN. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth, and one sister.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at Toronto Cemetery, Toronto, Kansas with Reverend Kenneth Baker officiating.
Evelyn Martha Baker of Eureka, formerly of Toronto, died on October 31, 2014 at the Eureka Nursing Center at the age of 88.
Evelyn was the eldest daughter of Leo Alfred and Mildred (Stone) Harris. She was born on November 3, 1925 in Yates, Center Kansas. The family moved to the oil boom town of Phillips, Texas in 1929 where she entered school and began piano lessons at the age of 5. This began a life-long love of music and, at the age of 9, vocal and instrumental accompanying.
In 1936 the family moved to Toronto, Kansas, to establish the Harris Grocery; and Evelyn entered the 6th grade. There were many opportunities in the music field in the Toronto school. She was a 1943 graduate of Toronto High School and a 1947 graduate of the Kansas City Conservatory of Music. While there she continued accompanying, played for a children’s dance studio and taught in the Conservatory Preparatory School. Evelyn had a degree in piano and a Masters in composition.
On June 15, 1947, Evelyn married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth J. Baker, at the Toronto Methodist Church. They resided in Toronto, and she taught piano lessons until the birth of their son in 1951. The family moved to the Baker farm in Greenwood County in 1953.
For 60 plus years, Evelyn served as pianist, choir director and director of children’s music in the Toronto United Methodist Church, particularly enjoying the Christmas programs by the choir and children.
Besides the church, Evelyn was a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota International Honorary Music Fraternity for Women, Toronto American Legion Auxiliary, and enjoyed working with the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Pleasant Hour Study Club, the Extension Homemaker’s Unit and 4H.
Evelyn his survived by her son Kip Baker of Toronto, two grandsons, Corey and Andrew Baker of Toronto and three grandchildren, Blaine, Caylee and Cassidy Baker; sister, Nancy Scarborough of Winchester, TN. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth, and one sister.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at Toronto Cemetery, Toronto, Kansas with Reverend Kenneth Baker officiating.
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