Violet May Baker

Violet May Baker, the best mom one could ever ask for, passed away on Sunday morning, October 1, 2023. She is now in heaven with her husband David, oldest daughter Debbie, as well as her mom, dad and so many other beloved family members and lifelong friends. She is survived by her youngest daughter, Patricia Baker, Sheila Burchfield, her brother Joe Stewart and his family, Cousins, Nephews and Nieces in the Baker family, the Bodine family, and the Utley family.

Vi (as was her nickname) was sharp, smart, innovative, fearless and above all, always right as moms always are. She was so kind, generous and loved her family and friends, always thinking of everyone first before herself.

She always knew how to get things done at work and at home, regardless of the roadblocks and challenges presented. Her co-workers whom she worked with in her banking role at CNB, affectionately dubbed her “The Velvet Hammer”. She knew how to get things done! She was a pioneer for women in the professional world, becoming the first Executive Officer in the banking industry, working in Sales/Marketing and Advertising.

My mom loved her iPad. She was a master with Facebook where she connected with family and friends. She was a wizard at ordering online which meant daily deliveries of sometimes odd, head scratching items and other times, delicious and wonderful cakes, and treats. At 94, she could put any teenager to shame with her computer skills.

She loved to cook and was quite creative with recipes especially when our family was very young and struggling. I have memories of her watching The Galloping Gourmet on TV in the 70’s with a glass of wine in hand, sipping when he did. Her watching Julia Childs and other cooking shows, ever so focused as to not miss a single word, taking notes and buying their cookbooks. She mastered and honed her cooking techniques, and our family always had the best, sometimes very creative meals.

She loved gardening and loved flowers of all kinds. When we moved to Texas, the Bluebonnets became her favorite flower of all time. She curated many pieces of artwork with pastures of bluebonnets that she treasured.

She had an incredibly interesting life with ups and downs, struggles as most did back in the 30’s and 40’s, but she survived and flourished, always challenging herself as well as challenging our family to always be kind and help others, be grateful for what we had and always know that we could do anything if wanted if we set our mind to it, with her love and full support.

Below I have touched on more of her background which will not cover her entire life’s story but will give you an idea of how special and hardworking she was, and why she has been my role model and inspiration.

Violet M. Baker was Vice President, Manager of CNB's Marketing/ Advertising Department. Vi joined CNB in 1968 in the Credit Card Department, was elected to Banking Officer and Manager of the Word Processing Center in 1973, promoted to Assistant Vice President in the Marketing Department in 1975 and in 1979 became Manager of that department. She was a past president of the Sales & Marketing Executives of Fort Worth, served as chairman of their Past Presidents Advisory Committee and was a member of the International Board of Directors for Sales & Marketing Foundation, was a member of Bank Marketing Association and the National Association of Bank Women. Vi was also on the marketing committee of the Texas Bankers Association and was the first women to serve on the committee. She was the former chairman of the City of Fort Worth's Clean City Commission, the Advertising Club of Fort Worth and American Women in Radio & TV. She and a small group of other sponsors created and implemented the now famous Fort Worth fireworks show you see each year on the Trinity River among hundreds of accomplishments, but this event was always her pride and joy.

Born a Gemini in Toledo, Ohio, her family shortly thereafter moved to a cotton farm close to Memphis. At age 6 the family moved to Springfield, Missouri where she finished school, married her husband, David Baker, whose family were officers in The Salvation Army. She and her husband attended The Salvation Army Training College for Officers in Chicago, but because of doctrine differences, left four weeks prior in becoming officers and moved back to Springfield, Missouri with her husband finishing a stint in the Navy during the Korean War.

She also worked as a social worker in South Bend Indiana for a few years, and when she and David moved to Kansas, Vi entered the banking industry, working in installment loans, commercial loans, SBA loans and public relations in Wichita.

With her husband’s return to the University of Pittsburgh to obtain his MBA, she took a job with Melon National Bank working in the corporate office.

Her sweetest job after leaving Pittsburgh was when she joined Russell Stover Candies in Kansas City where she was responsible for managing an $11 million territory with eight salesmen who reported to her. A few years later, she would move with her family to Fort Worth, Texas where her career really took off with CNB.

She was a graduate of the University of Colorado Bank Marketing School.

A special “Thank You” with overwhelming gratitude to Regina Foreman and Amber Courtois for helping take care of my mom over the last few years. She loved you both so much!

A celebration service and interment for Violet will be held at Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Springfield, Springfield, Greene County, Missouri, USA, where she will be reunited with her husband, my dad, David W Baker. A date has not been determined at this time but it will be held in the Spring 2024, her favorite time of year.