Age 81, a resident of Prairie Grove, Ark., passed away Monday, February 14, 2022 at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born March 18, 1940 in Bethany, Mo., the only child of Delbert Charles and Beatrice Wanda (Robertson) Gates.
Joyce graduated from Bethany High School in 1957, and married Donald Baker on June 19, 1959. Joyce worked and volunteered at various businesses over the years including St. Mary’s Hospital in Blue Springs, Mo. and Missouri Department of Conservation Burr Oak Nature Center in Blue Springs. In 1983 she earned her Bachelor of Science in Arts Education from the University of Missouri. After Donald’s retirement they enjoyed traveling and visited 48 of the United States and various Providences in Canada.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her husband of 62 years Donald Baker; two children Kenneth Allen Baker and his wife Cheryl of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and Linda Sue Patterson and her husband Gary of Fayetteville, Ark.; three grandchildren Stephanie Baker of New York, N.Y., Jared Baker of Rio Rancho, N.M., and Amorea Patterson of Fayetteville, Ark.; one step granddaughter Casey Patterson and one step great grandson Jackson Patterson; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was February 19th, 2022, at Main Street Baptist Church in Farmington, Ark. Memorials may be made to the Main Street Baptist Church in Farmington, Ark.