Alta Eunice Baker

Alta Eunice Baker, known affectionately as Eunice for much of her life, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, in Ridgedale, Missouri. Born on April 12, 1941, in Dugginsville, Missouri, to Simon and Beatrice (Bond) Long, she grew up attending Dugginsville/Lutie Elementary and Gainesville High School. She gave her heart to the Lord at an early age and experienced a profound vision of heaven during her baptism, which became the foundation of a deep and personal faith that guided her throughout her life. She instilled this love of God in her children and grandchildren, living out her beliefs through a generous and compassionate spirit.

Eunice was first married to Norval Jones of Lutie, Missouri, on October 25, 1957. Together they had two children, Debra Gale and Kenneth Gene. The family lived in Springfield, Missouri, where she worked for 30 years as a skilled meat wrapper at Ramey’s Supermarket. Though that marriage ended, her devotion to her children remained steadfast, and she took great pride in providing them with a good life.

In 1976, Eunice married Gary Etsel Baker on August 13. Their marriage lasted 48 years until Gary’s passing on November 14, 2024. Together they embraced a life full of adventure, moving 31 times across various parts of Missouri. With a traveling gypsy spirit, Eunice thrived on new experiences and shared a rare and abiding love with Gary. In his final years, she devoted herself to caring for him, drawing strength each morning from reading her Bible.

Eunice was preceded in death by her 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 Jones. She is survived by her eldest sister Ava Pettet, her daughter Debra and husband Joe, her son Kenny Jones and fiancée Shawnda, grandchildren Amanda Jones, Ashley Jean Poole and husband Matt, and Allison Jones, as well as great-grandchildren Angelina Stover, Aspen Holt and fiancée Jade, Ashland Holt and wife Tiffany, Jaxon Mumford, Londyn Mumford, Adelyn Renee’ Holt, and Nolan Atlas Stone, along with several nieces and nephews. Her family will always remember her giving heart, her unwavering faith, and the quiet strength she showed in loving and serving others.