Lois Janell Baker

Janell Baker, 75, of Grapevine, TX, formerly of Houston, TX, left us unexpectedly to join her Heavenly family on December 31, 2018 after battling Alzheimer’s disease for the past 18 months.
Janell was born to Henry and Virgie Tanner on September 29, 1943 in Herod, Illinois. Janell graduated from Cave in Rock High School in Illinois and left for Indianapolis after graduation. She then moved to Houston where she met her husband, Ken Baker. When their son was born, he became the center of her life. They made many memories over the years from crabbing at the park to playing sports to baking and making music, crafts, and much more. She then went on to study Behavioral Science at the University of Houston Clear Lake where she graduated with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.
Janell was an extremely talented woman in many walks of life. She loved to use her talents to better the lives of others. In addition to serving her family, she enjoyed volunteering at the Brooks Fire Department, volunteering as a counselor at church, delivering meals on wheels both early and later in life, working as a career counselor at the University of Houston Clear Lake, serving in Adult Education for Harris County. This passion and dedication to others impacted lives across the state of Texas and throughout the country. One of her other many passions was creating masterpieces through crocheting, sewing, cross-stitching, wood-working, and painting. These masterpieces were enjoyed at her home, her businesses, and through donations to hospitals and others in need. In addition to crafts and her career, Janell enjoyed learning about history and other civilizations, archaeology, gardening and traveling the world. Above all, Janell enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Janell joins her mother, father, and sister Donna (Tanner) Thompson in Heaven. She is survived by her husband Ken Baker, son Travis Baker, his wife Michelle, and grandchildren Sophie, Lizzie, and Brenden, three brothers, Jerry and Sandie Tanner, Henry and Cecilia Tanner, and Ron and Sherry Tanner, two sisters, Sue (Tanner) Smith, and Harold and Peggy (Tanner) Hergert, and numerous other family members.
A memorial service will be held at Lucas Funeral Home in Grapevine, TX on January 19, 2019 at 2pm.