Thelma M. Baker, age 97, died peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2020, at St. Joseph’s Haven in Arlington, Texas.

She was born on July 21, 1922 in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Cecil and Gertrude Rowen and was the second born of five children. Thelma graduated from Ponca City High School in 1942.

On July 19, 1943 she married Albert C. Baker who was in the Navy and served in the Pacific during WWII. Together, they had two children. Shortly after the war ended Thelma and Albert moved to Houston, Texas where Thelma studied cosmetology and graduated from Houston College of Beauty Culture.

Besides being the owner/ operator of a successful beauty shop, Thelma took pride in being a loving wife and mother. Later in life she and Albert enjoyed traveling in their RV and square dancing. She also took up the hobby of painting. Many of her paintings are still being enjoyed by family and friends.

Thelma is survived by her sister, Vivian Rhodes of Ponca City; son Duane Baker and daughter Janet Baker Haskins. She also had four grandchildren (Michael Haskins, Sherry Haskins Tate, Alan Baker and Darren Baker); five great-grandchildren (Aaron Haskins, Megan Haskins, Melissa Tate, Lauren Tate and Megan Baker) and many nieces and nephews.

Family will gather in the near future at the Dallas/ Fort Worth National Cemetery where her ashes will be interred with those of her loving husband Albert.

paid obituary