Doris Nelle Baker

Doris Nelle Baker was born in Whitefield, Oklahoma. As the 3rd child in a family of 8 children, she lived in the country in and around Stigler, Oklahoma. She attended several rural schools in the area around Stigler and Whitefield, frequently requiring a 2 mile walk each way on trails across fields and through the woods. In 1940, the family moved to California and lived in the Piute Mountains, where her father worked at the sawmill in Johnsondale. Always looking for work, the family moved to Bakersfield, the cotton camp in Greenfield and then back to Johnsondale. In November 1941, the family moved back to Oklahoma, stopping in Texas to pick cotton on the way. Everyone worked to help meet the family's needs. From 1941to 1943, they lived in Oklahoma as her father Bud operated a small sawmill around Whitefield. The family moved back to California, residing in Randsburg while her father worked as an Operating Engineer constructing Edwards Air Force Base. Doris attended Randsburg High School. In 1945 she met William F. Baker, who came to Johannesburg after his wartime enlistment in the U.S. Navy. He fell in love with her watching her shoot baskets on the outdoor basketball court (she was a great natural athlete, as was he). They were married August 16, 1947. Bill and Doris lived in Randsburg, where the first of 5 boys was born in December 1948. They then moved to Lancaster, where Bill became an apprentice, and then journeyman printer, as she raised the family. After moves to Newport Beach, and Shafter they settled in Bakersfield. Bill worked at the Bakersfield Californian, until his death in 1971. Along the way, she gave birth to 4 more boys. After Bill's death, she was left with 2 young sons at home and went to Bakersfield College, where she graduated with her degree in Nursing in 1974, at the age of 44. She worked as an R.N. at various Bakersfield hospitals and in the medical office of her son, William F. Baker Jr., M.D. She worked as a nurse until her retirement in 1995. She is remembered by many patients for her compassionate care, wonderful smile, thoroughness and great sense of humor. For a time she was an owner and proprietor of the historic Red Mountain Saloon in Red Mountain, CA. She loved time with family, gospel and country music and sports (playing high school softball and basketball) and watching her children and grandchildren in their many sporting events. Doris is preceded in death by her husband, William F. Baker, her parents, Bud and Floye Pryor, and sister Susie Kennedy. She is survived by her siblings: Jeanne Lawton, Ann Haney, Donnie Pryor, James Pryor, Ronnie Pryor and Jerry Pryor; her five sons and their wives: William F., Jr. and Sharon Baker, Jeff and Melinda Baker, Greg and Kimmie Baker, Randy Baker, Kevin and Tamra Baker; 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. The family thanks her many physicians, who provided wonderful care during her long illness with lung disease, Dr. Susan Helper, Dr. Herriott, Dr. Laughlin, Dr. Kitt, Dr. Anil Mehta and Dr. Sam Singh. Visitation is Friday from 4-8 p.m. The funeral service, officiated by Pastor Mike Osthimer, will be held Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Chapel, 9101 Kern Canyon Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93306. Pallbearers will be grandsons Jeff Bell, Paul Bell, Jonathan Baker, Benjamin Baker, Stephen Baker, Ryan Baker, Seth Baker, Nicholas Baker, Anthony Baker, Mitchell Baker, Joshua Baker. As an option in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the American Lung Association, in her name. www.hillcrestmemorial.com