Obituary of Judy Grace Baker
Judy Grace Gaines Baker passed away peacefully at home on July 30, 2022, with her daughters at her side. While we miss her greatly, we are comforted in knowing she is rejoicing in Heaven.
Judy was born in Houston, Texas on October 3, 1944, to her loving parents William Houston Gaines and Safrona Faye Hill Gaines.
Judy (aka Mom, Aunt Judy, and Nanny) graduated early from Reagan High School in 1961 and immediately went to work. She spent fourteen years with the Houston Police Department working in the jail, crime lab and substation. She continued her career working thirty-eight years for the Houston Police Officer’s Pension Office. There she made many friends and helped many officers and their families.
Judy was first and foremost a Mom. She was always involved in her children's activities being a Sunday school teacher at church, Camp Fire Girl leader, a softball coach, piano teacher, and booster club president for high school band. She loved to travel and spent as much time as possible traveling the country, camping and visiting friends. She was a born-again Christian attending Sunny Land Baptist Church where she played the piano and sang in the choir. East Houston Baptist Church has been her place of worship for many years now and she considered them part of her family. She passed on her love of God to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Judy was the youngest of five children and was preceded in death by her Mother, Faye Gaines (1908-1995) and Father, William Gaines (1903–1966), her sister Loise Nell Gaines (1938-1942), brothers William Houston Gaines Jr. (1933-2001) and John Alvin Gaines (1936-2007). Son-in-law Thomas Armel (1961-2017)
Judy is survived by her sister, Jo Ann Gaines Johnson and sister-in-law, Sue Carpenter Gaines, daughters, Rebecca Baker Armel and Melissa Baker St. John and her husband, Robert, grandchildren, David Armel, Kasey Parrish and her husband, BJ, Daniel Armel, Hilery Boudreaux and her husband, Joshua, Timothy Armel, Jennifer Armel, Hannah Pate, Becky St John, Gracie Pate, Nikki St John; great-grandchildren, Konner Parrish, Jax Parrish, Troy Armel, and Waylon Parrish (expected October 2022). Judy has numerous cousins she loved dearly and many nieces and nephews that were always such an import part of her life.
We will celebrate Judy’s life on August 5, 2022, at East Houston Baptist Church, 9425 N. Green River, Houston, Texas 77078. A viewing will be held from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and service will begin at 11:30 a.m.
She will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1101 Antoine Drive, Houston, Texas immediately following the service.
Please join us for refreshments at Judy’s house following the graveside service. We would love to hear your stories and share ours.
