Lois Norene Baker, 92, of Kenedy, Texas, passed away on January 27, 2024.  She was born in Karnes County, near Overby, Texas, on July 10, 1931, to Jake Raymond and Lorene Gorman Rice.  She was called Loisene by her family and friends.  

Loisene attended Nell, Choate, and Kenedy schools, graduating in 1948.    She met Jay E. Baker at Baker’s store in the Choate community, and they started dating after she graduated from high school.

Loisene was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for over 30 years, starting as a switchboard operator and retiring as a plant assignor,    

She married Jay E. Baker on Veterans Day, November 11,1950, just before he joined the U.S. Army and deployed to Korea during the Korean War. When Jay E. returned, they settled in Choate, working in Baker’s Store and on their farm.  Later, they moved to Farmington, New Mexico, where they started a family and then returned home to Texas.  They had two sons, Jay Collie and Joe E., during their 73-year marriage.

 Loisene and Jay E. operated a cattle ranch in Dripping Springs for many years. After retirement, they moved back to Kenedy and operated a cattle ranch in Choate for over 30 years, and they shared their love of the ranch with their family and grandchildren.  Grandmommy, as she was known to her grandchildren, was an amazing homemaker and cook.  She was known for her hot chocolate, divinity, fudge, biscuits and gravy and other specialties that she and Grandaddy made often.  Grandmommy was loving, generous, and quick to help others, as well as dedicated and supportive.  She dearly loved her family and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow.

Loisene is preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Lorene Rice, and brothers, Lloyd Raymond (Oleta and Angela) Rice, Jake William (Pat) Rice and Charles Gorman (Cecilia) Rice.

Loisene is survived by her husband, Jay E. Baker, sons Jay Collie (Denise) Baker and Joe E. (Pamela) Baker, grandchildren Jason (Eleanor) Baker, Jennifer (Marlon) Fowler, William (Hayleigh) Baker, Molly Baker, Andrew Baker and Ada Baker, and great grandchildren Helen Baker, Kaleb Fowler, Collie Baker and Kori Fowler.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 9, 6-8 pm at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services will be on Saturday, February 10, 10 am at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, with interment following at Choate Cemetery in Choate, Texas.

Brother Terry Smith will officiate. Pallbearers will be Jason Baker, William Baker, Marlon Fowler, Thomas Jimerson, David Morgan and Gary Morgan.

Donations can be made to Choate Baptist Cemetery Trust, PO Box 56, Kenedy, TX 78119.