Lora Beth Baker, 82, left this world for glory Thursday, September 23, 2021, in
Amarillo, Texas. She was born July 16, 1939, in Canyon, Texas to Cecil Ester Mariner and Lora Odell Barrington Mariner. She was raised in the Amarillo area and graduated from Amarillo High School in 1957. She worked as a secretary in military services and met the love of her life Gary while he was stationed at the Amarillo Air Force Base. They married April 6, 1963.
Memorial services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday September 25, 2021, in Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel with her son, Elder James Baker pastor of the Borger Primitive Baptist Church, and son-in-law Elder Trey Collier pastor of the Gulf Coast Primitive Baptist Church officiating. The interment will be at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo, Texas by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors of Amarillo.
She was the longest standing member of the Amarillo Primitive Baptist Church at the time of her death. She served the church from age 4, until her health would not allow her to attend. She remained faithful to the Lord being blessed to worship in song with her granddaughter. She also was able to attend worship service at Ussery Roan just hours prior to her death.
She retired from teaching at Caprock High school where she taught special needs children whom she had a true passion and calling for. She also worked for the Amarillo Community Center, and Amarillo State Center for Mental Health and Retardation. She graduated from Amarillo College and went on to graduate with a Master’s Degree in Special Education from West Texas A&M University. She was very active in the Special Olympics programs in our area and was President of the Business and Professional Women club. Her passion was truly spending time with those less fortunate and giving of herself, especially to the mentally handicapped.
Survivors include her three children; James and wife Becky of Amarillo, Matthew and wife Stacey of Amarillo, Marina Collier and her husband Trey of Houston, Texas, two foster children; Nancy Fudge and her husband Ron of Oklahoma, and son Jesse Morales of Amarillo, 8 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren, a host of cousins, family, and friends.
The family suggests memorials be sent to Ussery Roan Texas State Veterans Home or the Amarillo Primitive Baptist Church. We, the family can never repay the kindness shown to our mother and father by the staff at Ussery Roan and Hospice for their love and great care for them.
The family will receive visitors at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount Blvd. in Amarillo, Friday evening, September 24, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.
Beth was a caring type of person. I met Beth when Matt and Todd were cheerleaders at Tascosa. She and Gary took on the whole squad, and made them behave like leaders should. She was always involved with her grandchildren and family. She will be truly missed. Fly high.
Too many fond memories of Sister Beth to mention.
She was a good one!
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother, Marina I have good memories when Chris and I were in our tent beside your parents at Harmony plains I loved your mother.
It was my honor to be Lora Beth’s retirement advisor. I can’t think of anther retiring educator who was as friendly, appreciative, or better prepared than she. I truly enjoyed every minute we shared. Later as I played music for the residents at Ussery-Roan I noticed that she was always there to listen. My sincere condolences to James and the rest of the family. …..Jim Hutson
I worked with Beth as an asst in the special needs dept at Caprock until I had to take an early retirement in 2000 to take care of my own special needs child. She was a loving and caring teacher and friend. So sorry for your loss she will be dearly missed.