Alta ‘Eunice’ Baker, 84
Alta “Eunice” Baker, 84, of Ridgedale, died March 4, 2026. Celebration of life services will be announced at later date.
She was born to Simon and Beatrice (Bond) Long on April 12, 1941, in Dugginsville. She attended Dugginsville and Lutie Elementary schools and Gainesville High School.
Eunice, as she was called until later in life, gave her heart to the Lord at an early age. She was blessed to experience a vision of heaven while being baptized. This helped form the foundation of Jesus Christ and her walk with him. She instilled this faith in her children and grandchildren.
Her walk with the Lord was personal and unique and often misunderstood by others. It was not unusual for her to reach out and help those she saw in need. Helping with clothing, food, medication, housing or whatever the need was. She was blessed and shared her blessings. She was known for her giving heart and praising god for her blessings.
She was a member of General Baptist church while her children were growing up but later professed non-denominational as her belief.
She married Norval Jones, of Lutie, on Oct. 25, 1957. Debra Gale and Kenneth Gene were born of this marriage. They moved to Springfield, where she was employed by Ramey’s Supermarket as a skilled meat wrapper. Eunice wrapped meat for 30 years before retiring.
Although the marriage to Norval ended, the love for her children remained. She took pride in knowing she could provide and help give her children a good life. Eunice met Gary Etsel Baker and they married on Aug. 13, 1976. The marriage lasted 48 years, leaving her a widow after Gary's death on Nov. 14, 2024.
She enjoyed life with Gary, living life to the fullest. She had a traveling gypsy spirit always looking forward to a new adventure. They moved 31 times, living in various regions of Missouri. They shared a love that very few find, always claiming the blessings of God.
As the sole caregiver to her late husband Gary for three years, she drew strength from reading her Bible. You would often find her searching the scriptures before the breaking of dawn. Eunice read her Bible until she had a stroke which then hindered her thought process and the dimming of her eyes.
After Gary's death, Eunice moved to Willard Care Center, residing in memory care. She asked almost daily about Gary, some days waiting on him to pick her up. He was the love of her life and made her complete.
The family extended their sincere gratitude to the staff at Willard Care Center and the Taney County administrator, as well as to all of their friends and family for their prayers, hugs and support.
She is survived by her eldest sister, Ava Pettet; daughter Debra and her husband Joe; son Kenny Jones and fiance Shawnda; grandchildren: Amanda Jones, Ashley Jean Poole and husband Matt and Allison Jones; great-grandchildren: Angelina Stover, Aspen Holt and fiance Jade, Ashland Holt and wife Tiffany, Jaxon Mumford and Londyn Mumford; two great-great-grandchildren: Adelyn Renee Holt and Nolan Atlas Stone; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her late husband Gary; her parents Simon and Beatrice Long; her brother Ottie Long; her sister Erma Lee Sanders; her granddaughter Amy Renee Holt and her former husband Norval.
Arrangements under the direction of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.