Ava LaRea Baker

Ava LaRea Baker, 80, of Beebe, passed away on March 5, 2026, in Beebe. Born on September 13, 1945, in Beebe to James E. Welch and Eva Morton Welch, she was raised in her hometown and graduated from Beebe High School in 1963.

LaRea is survived by her husband of 62 years, Robert H. Baker Sr.; her son, Robert H. Baker Jr. (Tracy); her daughter, Marci Baker-Cox (Bill); her sisters, Linda Jo Hale, Sandra Eubanks, and Jamie Welch; granddaughter Mattie Watson Cox; grandson Drew Cox; and several beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

She began a 33-year career with the United States Postal Service in 1967 as a clerk in Beebe. She went on to serve as a rural mail carrier, where her dedication and commitment to timely delivery were well known, before working in the accounting department and advancing to Postmaster in Hazen and later Vilonia, Arkansas. A longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Beebe, LaRea was deeply devoted to her family. She cherished time spent together, took great care in wrapping beautiful Christmas presents with elaborate bows, and found joy in cross-stitching, growing hydrangeas, and wearing pearls. She treasured her lifelong friendships from high school, remembered birthdays and special occasions with thoughtfulness and kindness, and was a devoted Arkansas Razorbacks fan who rarely missed a chance to cheer on her team.