Rachel Baker

Rachel Virginia (Maxwell) Baker, 88, passed away on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, after a short illness. Rachel was born January 15, 1922, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Stuart Lee Maxwell and Minnie Mae (Jamison) Maxwell. She lived in Muskogee for 74 years before moving to Oklahoma City to be near her family. Rachel was always very creative, sewing, crocheting, tatting and, her favorite past time, painting china. She began her career as a porcelain artist in 1956 taking lessons from a local teacher in Muskogee. Her enthusiasm and skill grew quickly and soon she was traveling nationwide seeking the knowledge of other teachers. She taught classes in her home from 1960 to 1990. All of her students quickly became her good friends. Soon she was giving seminars and demonstrations throughout the southwest teaching her specialty, Dresden. Along with two other artists, she conducted Painters' Paradise at Lake Tenkiller from 1974 to 1984. Various teachers from across the U.S. would come to teach, spending the week at Fin & Feather Lodge. She was a charter member and past president of the Indian Capitol Porcelain Artists, Muskogee, past president of Oklahoma China Painting Teachers; state president of Porcelain Artists of Oklahoma from 1973-74; member of the International Porcelain Art Teachers; and the Indian Paint Brush Porcelain Artists of Oklahoma City. While in Muskogee, she worked for Southwestern Bell for 21 years. She was a member and past-president of Soroptomist International of America of Muskogee, a member of the Muskogee Country Club and a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Hope Chapter. She was very active in the United Methodist Women at the First United Methodist Church in Muskogee, serving on the board and obtaining her 50 year pin several years ago. After moving to Oklahoma City, she was a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, a member of the Susanna Wesley and Priscilla Circles and The Book Club. Rachel was a beautiful, generous and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, a precious friend and she will be missed more than words can say. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Menter G. Baker, and stepchildren, Menter Gray Baker, Jr. and his wife, Nell; Marjorie Baker Garrison and Mitchell R. Baker. She is survived by her three children, Cecelia Parkey and her husband, Jack; Debora Penn and her husband Leon; all of Oklahoma City; Stuart Ryser and his wife, Deanna, of San Antonio, Texas; three grandchildren, Tracy Hendren Imle and her husband, Peter, of Gonvick, Minn.; Jeff Hendren and his wife, Kae, of London, England; Megan Ryser, San Antonio, Texas; and four great grandchildren; Katie McIntosh, Lauren McIntosh, Sarah Imle and Kaila Hendren; one sister, Lillian Post, Dallas, Texas, and two nieces, Dorothy Lee Post and Cynthia Krizman, and one nephew, Martin H. Post IV; spouses of stepchildren, Fleeta Baker and Jim Garrison.