December 15, 1928 – June 5, 2022
Joycina “Joyce” Day Baker was born to parents Samuel Lyle Day and Emma Ellen Day (nee Munday), in Wichita, Kansas on December 15, 1928. Joyce was the oldest of 5 children in her immediate family (Uthona, Bonnie, Coleera and Sam), with two half-sisters (Mary and Elva) by her father from a previous marriage.
She attended Wichita High School East, and then Friends University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, graduating with honors in English. During her time at Friends University, she met Jim Baker from Friendswood, Texas. After courting Joyce for some time, Jim won her heart, and they married at Mt. Zion Methodist Church on June 12, 1949.
After graduation, Jim took his new bride back to Friendswood, Texas. Upon arriving at her new home, she very proudly became a Texan by choice, and quickly took to her new community centered around the Friends Church. Within the course of two years, they built a home, began the process of establishing Friendswood's first true supermarket, and were expecting their first child.
Baker's Lucky 7 Supermarket had its grand opening on July 26, 1952 and quickly became a central focus point for the entire community as they not only sold groceries, but Joyce took the helm of Friendswood's first newspaper, "The Baker Bulletin". She published a weekly newsletter that not only reported on the local happenings, but also the weekly specials on meat, produce and provisions.
By 1959, they had 4 children; Mark, Dayla, Wesley and Matthew.
As husband and wife, Jim and Joyce conducted their business with an honesty and integrity that is rarely seen in modern times. They became known as fair and generous employers, providing work for the local high school kids and keeping the community fed. Sticking to their convictions, and going against the norm for the day, they refused to sell alcohol or tobacco. Despite that, a loyal customer base kept them in business for thirty years. After the closing of Baker’s supermarket, Joyce found herself drawn to a meaningful new project that combined her passion for the City of Friendswood with her passion for writing.
Over the course of nearly a decade, Joyce researched the families and the founders of Friendswood compiling a detailed history of her chosen hometown. By the time she finished her exhaustive research project, she'd put together a decade by decade account of Friendswood, from the time of its founding through the mid 1990's. Her book titled, "Friendswood: A Settlement of Friendly Folks" was published just in time for Friendswood's centennial celebration. During this time, she became active with the Friendswood Historical Society and the Galveston County Historical Commission. She was also instrumental in making the Brown Museum what it is today. She is responsible for the placement of several historical markers, including the Quaker Settlement Sites, throughout the city commemorating many of the significant sites and events were detailed in her book.
Joyce received many awards and accolades over the years, Official City Historian (2013) and Friendswood Legend (2019), just to name a few. In 2018 she received the Key to the City on her 90th birthday from Mayor Mike Foreman.
Joyce was a gifted storyteller. But one of her favorite pastimes was listening to other people's stories. With 4 children, 6 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and 2 great-great grandchildren, her favorite stories centered around the lives and accomplishments of her family, which she considered to be her greatest legacy.
She is survived by her children, Mark Baker and wife Charlyne, Dayla Baker Sauls and husband Lloyd, Wesley Baker and wife Margaret and Matthew Baker and wife Belinda; sisters, Bonnie Marshall and Uthona Tole; grandchildren, James Baker, Regina Lusby and husband Brock, Robert Baker and wife Jamie, Collin Baker, Colton Baker, Kristin Baker; great grandchildren, Doran Lusby and wife Brittany; great great grandchildren, Declan and Tatum Lusby; and many other relatives and cherished friends.
Friends are cordially invited to the visitation with the family of Friday, June 10, 2022 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N. Friendswood Dr, Friendswood, Texas 77546 (281) 992-7200.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. at Friendswood Friends Church, 502 S. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, Texas 77546 with Rev. David Bridges officiating. Interment will follow at Friends Cemetery.
Pallbearers will include Larry Taylor, Melvin Tharp, Sally Branson, Kevin Holland, Chuck Davis and Eldon Brumbelow.
Honorary Pallbearers are Art Lampe and Brady Mora.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Friendswood Historical Society, PO Box 474, Friendswood, Texas 77549 or www.friendswoodhistoricalsociety.org.
Condolences may be sent to the Baker family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.
12 thoughts on “Joycina "Joyce" Day Baker”
A wonderful family. During an ice storm Jim brought soup and medicine to me for a sick child. I had no transportation that day, we. We were new residents and knew no one here. God blessed Friendswood greatly with this compassionate family.
Ms. Baker was a very sweet lady and always had a smile every time I saw her.. She will be truly missed til we meet again.
Condolences for your loss to the Baker Family
Oreo ( Maria Bejaran @ La Casita)
Ms. Baker was not only a historian for our wonderful community, she was one of our jewels. How blessed we are to have her wonderful stories and histories to pass on to our children and grands. Thoughts of her always bring a smile to my heart and her loss a tear to my eye. May the strength of Our Lord be with her family. In His might name we pray,
So very sorry to hear this. I worked at Baker’s for several years during high school and college. Mrs. Baker was a lovely person. My condolences to the family
My thoughts and prayers are for the Baker family. Joyce substituted in my classroom many times. Joyce was such a loving person. She will be missed.
You will always be missed and loved Aunt Joyce. May you rest in peace.
Auntie, I'm so GLAD we got a chance to re-connect 15years ago. I felt so loved just being in your presence. You and your family are such open and loving people…. I am happy they had you for so many generations. I will miss your quick smile and amazingly nimble mind. Your love for others will be your legacy throughout the years ahead. I know you are back with Jesus and your Jim now,, restored to all your glory. I will see you again Aunt Joyce, and will look forward to that time. May God bless your family as they deal with your loss and hold them close till they can smile at the mention of your name again. Much Love, Claudette Marie.
My condolences to the Baker family on the loss of Friendswood's Grand Dame, Joyce Baker. She was a force to be recokoned with and will forever be recognized for her contributions for putting pen to paper for the history of our town, Friendswood. God bless her soul and may she rest in peace. She will be missed. My regards to the Baker family.
Soon after our daughter was born in 1972, I decided to shop in the grocery store with the Cracker Barrel Heart. So, baby in shopping basket, I made my way through the aisles picking up needed supplies as we went. I happened to glance to my right and saw Mrs. Baker standing over her desk in the office. I had no idea she had noticed us until she looked up and said, "Hello," and gifted me with her wonderful smile. Through the years we became friends, and her generosity extended to getting me a picture of The Presence In The Midst after I mentioned how deeply it impressed me. Thank you dear Joycina. You released the Fragrance of Christ in our lives.
Soon after our daughter was born in 1972, I decided to shop in the grocery store with the Cracker Barrel Heart. So, baby in shopping basket, I made my way through the aisles picking up needed supplies as we went. I happened to glance to my right and saw Mrs. Baker standing over her desk in the office. I had no idea she had noticed us until she looked up and said, "Hello," and gifted me with her wonderful smile. Through the years we became friends, and her generosity extended to getting me a picture of The Presence In The Midst after I mentioned how deeply it impressed me. Thank you dear Joycina. You released the Fragrance of Christ in our lives.
Joyce was my friend. I became acquainted with her when she came to the Historical Society in League City. I loved her story telling of the history of Friendswood. I bought her book and read every word. I later took care of her for a year or two. I cooked her meals and sewed a little for her. I enjoyed that time with her and will cherish her friendship. Thank you, Margaret, for telling about her leaving this earth and going to heaven, our eternal home. I look forward to seeing her again there. She often talked about her family, whom she loved very much. I was impressed how her family were involved in her life providing needs, too. You definitely loved her very much and showed it. I was blessed to have her as a friend.
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