Mary Sue Mccoulskey Baker
Mary “Sue” Mccoulskey Baker passed away on January 1, 2024, in Brownwood, Texas, after a lengthy illness. She was 85. Born June 19, 1938, in Garland, Texas, to Frances and Griffin Mccoulskey, Sue moved to San Angelo, Texas, when she was a young girl, and spent most of her childhood there in the close-knit community of Lakeview, later moving to Midland, Texas, and graduating from Midland High School.
She married Don Baker, the love of her life, in 1954. They began their marriage in Midland, then moved to Big Spring, where they raised their three children. She began her professional career with Southwestern Bell, and served as financial secretary of First Baptist Church in Big Spring for many years. In 1971 she went to work for the Colorado River Municipal Water District, becoming the executive secretary to the general manager, and retiring in 1996 after more than 25 years of service. Upon her retirement, she moved with her husband to the Brownwood/zephyr area, where they lived until her death.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years Don; son Rick Baker and wife Terry of Granbury, Texas, daughters Sharon Isham and husband Lynn of Kerrville, Texas, and Melissa Sisk and husband John of Franklin, Tennessee; grandchildren D’amberly Brown (husband Greg), Russell
Baker (wife Jessica), Ashley Earl (husband Zach), Maranda Schaffer (husband Chad), Wade Isham (wife Christa), and Morgan Branham (husband James); great-grandchildren Jaidyn and Carsyn Brown, Bella, Ben and Blue Baker, Mckade and Brooks Earl, Rylie, Camden and Gentry
Schaffer, Nolan, Hudson and Everleigh Isham, and Callie and Clayton Branham; two brothers
Huey Mccoulskey (wife Pat) of Houston, and Marshall Mccoulskey (wife Janie) of Sanger, Texas; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her great-granddaughter Adelynn Isham; and her mother and father Frances and Griffin, who undoubtedly celebrated their precious daughter’s arrival into Heaven with a reunion like no other.
Our North Star who always pointed us toward Jesus, she exemplified a deep and abiding faith
throughout her life. She found comfort and hope in Scripture, and in worshipping the Lord. She
was a member of First Baptist Church, Big Spring for nearly 40 years, later becoming a member of First Baptist Church, Brownwood.
She adored, and was adored by, her family to whom she was completely devoted. She was a loyal and caring friend. She had a special heart for animals, especially her beloved dogs she so thoroughly spoiled and we are sure were there to enthusiastically welcome her into her eternal home.
A profoundly humble, compassionate and generous soul, doing for others was something she
took great joy in, and did so endlessly and tirelessly. Her relentless work ethic was a force in every aspect of her life, including many volunteer capacities in her church and community. She
was fun-loving, and her quick wit, wonderful sense of humor, infectious laugh, and beautiful
smile were always at the ready. Her talents were countless, and she was extremely artistic and creative. She was a fantastic cook and gifted baker, spending many years making and decorating magnificent cakes, and catering weddings for family, friends, and many others. She enjoyed playing the piano, was an exceptional seamstress, an avid reader, and a lifelong learner.
Known for her quiet strength and wisdom, she always chose to see the good, and exuded
happiness wherever she was. She lit up any room she entered. Her warmth, sweetness,
kindness and grace shone brightly in everything she did, and we will miss her every day
until we are with her again. She made our world a better place. We are forever grateful and
blessed to have called her ours, for the life that she so well lived, and for the undying legacy she left to us.
A private funeral service was held under the direction of Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville on January 3rd at the Zephyr Cemetery, in the Gladys and Ernest Baker Memorial Pavilion, which Sue and Don built in honor of his parents several years ago. Sue’s nephew, Reverend Ernie Mccoulskey, officiated. Pallbearers were her sonsin-law, grandsons, and grandsons-in-law.