Maria Dora Santos Baker

Mass of the Resurrection for Maria Dora Santos Baker, 96, of Lufkin will be celebrated Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church with Reverend Joe Kannampuzha officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park. Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday evening in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel.

Mrs. Baker was born October 5, 1918 in Bustamante, Nuevo Leon, Mexico to the late Luis Santos Mendiola and Aurelia Leonor (Sanchez) de Santos, and went to be with the Lord Sunday, November 23, 2014.

Mrs. Baker and her family moved to the United States in 1942. She worked in war plants during World War II in Adrian, Michigan. She was proud to have been a “Rosie the Riveter” and that she contributed to her new home country and its fighting men. Mrs. Baker became a proud, flag waving American in 1954. She was a long time supporter of the D.A.V., and was a supporter of the military and the Republican Party.

Mrs. Baker was active in her parish, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in McAllen, Texas, for many years and served as a missionary to Mexico. She was also active at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Diboll, Texas and a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church. She loved praying her rosary, crafts, reading, music, movies, gardening, crocheting, needlepoint, dancing, and staying fit. She devoted her life to our Lord and her children. Mrs. Baker was a beautiful lady, always looking her best wherever she went. She married William Edward Baker in 1946.

Surviving Mrs. Baker are her children, Glenda Baker Hawkins and husband Buddy of Lufkin, Darlla Baker of Round Rock and fiancé Javier Rios of El Centro, California, and William Edward Baker, Jr. and wife Cheryl of Charleston, South Carolina; grandchildren, Patricia Hawkins Stuart and husband Jeff of Grapevine, Karen Hawkins Horton and husband Jason of Lufkin, Vanessa James West of Austin, Alex James of Austin, Justin Baker of Los Angeles, California, and Brian Baker and wife Rui Li of New York, New York; great-grandchildren, Luke Stuart and Jack Stuart of Grapevine, Cody Horton and Cason Horton of Lufkin, Michael West, Alexandra West, and Ashton West, all of Austin; brother, Hector Santos and wife Virginia of Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; sisters, Dolores Brown of Vienna, Illinois and Magali Mitchell and husband Bill of Poquoson, Virginia; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers include Luis Zamora, Rey Zamora, Jr., Jeff Stuart, Alex James, Javier Rios, and Cody Horton.

Honorary pallbearers are Jason Horton, Cason Horton, Luke Stuart and Jack Stuart.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the Affinity Hospice staff, especially Margie and Alex, and the staff at The Joseph House for their loving care, especially Angela, Paula and Whitney.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Joseph House, P.O. Box 150554, Lufkin, Texas 75915 or the St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church Building Fund, 1611 Feagin Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at Carroway Funeral Home, prior to and following the Rosary.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.