Janie Dea (Coffin) Baker

Janie Dea Coffin Baker, 98, of Itasca, Texas, passed away Tuesday, September 12, 2023. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro, Texas on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 11:00 am. A reception will follow.

Janie was born on January 15, 1925, in Petrolia, Texas, to Vesta Chrisman Coffin and Paul Caswell Coffin. She graduated from Amarillo High School and graduated from Texas Christian University in 1946. She continued her dedication to Christian education by attending the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia.

Janie's life was deeply rooted in her love for her family. She met Ollie Lee Baker of Itasca, Texas, and they married on April 2, 1949. They lived in Seagraves, Texas and moved to New York when Ollie was recalled into the service during the Korean conflict. In 1952, they settled in Itasca, Texas, where they began farming. In 1960, they purchased an insurance and real estate agency, which later became known as Ollie Baker Real Estate and Insurance, where Janie managed the insurance agency.

Janie was an active member of her community. She was deeply committed to her faith and served as the organist and as clerk of the Session at the First Presbyterian Church of Itasca for many years. She was a member of the Itasca Garden Club and the Itasca Chamber of Commerce.

Janie was preceded in death by her husband, Ollie Baker, in 2009, as well as her parents, Vesta and Paul Coffin, and her brother, Paul Coffin, Jr. She is survived by her sister, Virginia Coffin Thomas of Tallahassee, Florida, and her children: Lee Baker and wife Penny Baker, Sally Baker Crouch and husband Tom Crouch, Paul Baker and wife Debbie Baker, Richard “Sam” Baker, Steve Baker and wife Teri Baker, and Chris Baker Davies and husband Russell Davies. Her legacy extends to her thirteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, who will continue to cherish her memory.

The family wishes to thank Janie’s caregivers over the years: Donita Strite, Eileen Longenecker, Barbara Weaver, and Brittany Reid Thomas.

Janie's love for her family and passion for music and the church will forever be remembered by those whose lives she touched. In her memory, the family requests that any contributions be made to First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 635, Hillsboro, Texas 76645 or Hill County Paw Pals, Inc., PO Box 1533, Hillsboro, Texas 76645.