FORT SMITH — On June 1, 2023, Lala Jane Baker’s

journey on this earth was completed as she crossed over into the Kingdom of heaven. She was born Lala Jane Gray on May 28, 1929 to Robert Gordon Gray and Lala Haley Gray in Benton, Ark.

Jane showed an exceptional aptitude for the violin and was accepted into the highly selective Juilliard School in New York, however, her father wanted her closer to home.

She entered the College of the Ozarks after graduating from Will Rogers High School. She met the love of her life, Darrel Evert Baker. They married on May 28, 1948, followed by 72 years of marriage.

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from NSU, serving as a teacher, librarian and media specialist.

Jane was an active member of multiple charities and organizations, including Church Women United, a professional educators sorority, and Central Presbyterian Church; she helped fill backpacks full of food with Community Services Clearinghouse and raised funds for Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night annual walks.

She read voraciously and never tired of learning; she also loved researching family history. Her baking and cooking of delectable treats will always be legendary.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Darrel Evert Baker; their daughter, Lala Kay Baker Davis; her mother and father, Lala Haley and Rev. Dr. R. Gordon Gray; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dorotha Minor and Luther Leonard Baker.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Williams (Ralph) of Fort Smith, Ark.; two sons: Robert Baker (Margaret) of Hurst, Texas, Dr. Kevin Baker (Jamie) of Tulsa, Okla.; seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will commence at 10 a. m. Monday, June 5, 2023 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, Fort Smith, Ark., with Steven D. Kurtz, Pastor of Central Presbyterian Church as officiant. Private burial will follow at Fort Smith National Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.