Kathryn Lorraine “Gigi” Baker

January 17, 1932 – August 17, 2019

Memorial Service

Thursday, August 22, 2019
Family Visitation: 11:00 A.M.
Memorial Service: 12:00 Noon

Nelson & Sons Memorial Chapel
824 Lipscomb Street
Shelbyville, Tennessee

Mrs. Kathryn “GiGi” Baker, daughter of the late Ruby ‘Morgan’ Kenney and Eston John Kenney was born January 17^th, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended the public schools of Bedford and Cuyahoga Counties and also attended The Julliard School of Music and Dance in New York. During the mid to late 40’s she became a part of a professional Dance Group under the direction of Kathrine Dunham performing on Broadway and various other places.

     She was united in holy matrimony to Henry “Red” Baker. in March of 1955. This union was blessed with five children.

     Mrs. Baker was an active person who believed that education and discipline were an integral part of raising her family. As a result, many adventures were shared with her children; Summer days at the beach, trips to the park, or singing gospel songs as she played the piano. Her zeal for life was displayed in the “block parties” she and daddy would throw for the Langley Ave. street club, where they would feed and entertain the entire neighborhood. Just listening to the poetry, she created from her life’s experiences gave her family insight into her spiritual relationship with God. Her advice and words of wisdom, all taken from life’s experiences, will influence our lives forever, as well as the lives of all who knew her.

     She quietly departed this life on August 17, 2019 at her home in Shelbyville, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Henry Baker, or, “Uncle Red” as he was known, on December 11th, 2007, and later by two sons, Eston “Keith” Johnson and Brian J. Baker.

     Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: Karen L. VanFleet, Shelbyville, TN., Paulette Winters, Murfreesboro, TN., and Michael H. Baker, Shelbyville, TN. Ten grandchildren, Twenty-Eight Great-Grand Children, and Twenty-One Great-Great Grand Children

       She will be remembered by a host of devoted nieces, nephews, and friends both near and far.