Life story

" Margaret Lynn Baker was born on January 14, 1942, in a small farmhouse nestled outside of Houston, Texas. The daughter of Earl and Edna Mae Fletcher, Margaret was raised with old-fashioned values, deep faith, and a reverence for family that shaped every part of her life.

From a young age, Margaret was known for her gentle demeanor, strong work ethic, and quiet wit. She helped raise her younger siblings and cared for animals on the family land—a love that stayed with her for life. In her early twenties, she married James Baker, and together they built a life grounded in loyalty, faith, and love. They raised two children: Helena Monroe and David Baker, in a modest home filled with laughter, hard-earned meals, and the sound of gospel music on the radio.

Margaret was never one to seek the spotlight. She worked behind the scenes, but her influence was undeniable. Whether helping with school projects, making sure no one left hungry, or quietly sitting beside someone during hard times, Margaret showed love through action.

She was deeply devoted to her grandchildren: Austin Bruso, Jessica Monroe, Travis Baker, and Ava Baker. Margaret helped raise each one of them and left an imprint of strength, patience, and love on their lives. In her later years, she became a guiding light to her great-grandchildren, nurturing a legacy that now spans four generations.

Margaret had a special fondness for animals—especially her donkeys, Millie and Sadie, who brought her peace and joy in her later years. She believed animals deserved kindness and treated them with the same warmth and care she gave everyone around her.

She was the kind of woman who always had something extra in the pantry “just in case,” who prayed before every meal, and who remembered birthdays by heart. Her hands were calloused, her hugs were warm, and her faith was unshakable.

As her body slowed with age, her spirit remained strong. Even in her final days, she offered wisdom, comfort, and quiet courage to those she loved.

Margaret passed away on May 22, 2025, at the age of 83, due to complications from COPD. She is survived by her daughter, Helena Monroe; her son, David Baker; her grandchildren, Austin Bruso, Jessica Monroe, Travis Baker, and Ava Baker; her great-grandchildren; her sister, Lois Ann McCarty; her niece, Linda Jo Crenshaw; and her beloved donkeys, Millie and Sadie.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Baker; her brother, Harold “Buck” Hensley; her sister, Dorothy Ruth Crenshaw; her grandson, Samuel Baker; and her parents, Earl and Edna Mae Fletcher.

Her story is not just one of years lived—it is a story of lives touched, hearts held, and love passed down. Margaret Lynn Baker was a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a sister, a caretaker, a friend, and the steady foundation of a loving family.

Now she rests. But her love lives on in every life she helped shape. "