Valrice Anita (De Graftenreed) Baker

There is a time for everything

And a season for every activity under the Heaven

A time to be born and a time to die,

A time to plant and a time to uproot...

A time to tear down and a time to build

A time to weep and a time to laugh

A time to mourn and a time to dance... Eccles: 3:4

REFLECTION OF LIFE

Valrice Anita DeGraftenreed Baker

VAL

Valrice Anita "De Graftenreed" Baker was born December 4, 1936 to Rev. Jessie and Effie DeGraftenreed in Kansas City, Kansas.

"VAL", as she was lovingly known, was the eighth child born to this union which consisted of ten children, five girls and five boys.

Val was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Joyce; her twin son, Lydell;  one grandson, Michael Jr.; eight siblings; and ex-husband Major Baker.

Val attended the local schools in Kansas City, Kansas: Grant, Kealing and Stowe Elementary Schools, Northeast Junior High School, and Sumner High School. She obtained her CNA license at KCK Community College.

She worked at various hospitals and nursing homes in the Metro area. She had a loving compassion for the elderly and the youth.

At an early age, Val professed her hope in Christ under the leadership of her minister and father, Rev. Jessie DeGraftenreed at Morning Star Church of God. Val was a true humanitarian, who would help anyone in need. She was very vocal and would speak her mind to anyone in what she believed in. She loved a good debate, especially with her sister Betty, and she would most of the time win. Val was an avid TV watcher of Old Western movies, which were her passion.

Val met and married Mr. Major Baker from Dumas, Arkansas in 1961, and from this union five children were born: Michael, Larry, Joyce her twins Linda and Lydell.

Val was called home to Glory on Friday morning, August 21, 2020.

She leaves to cherish her memories one daughter, Linda Baker of Kansas City, Kansas; two sons, Michael Baker; and Larry (Jeanette) Baker of Kansas City, Kansas; two granddaughters, who she raised as her own when their mother Joyce died, Brandy and Brittini Mc Neal; eight other grandchildren, LaBrial Simmons; Edwin Anderson Jr.; Stacy Green-Sanders; Lameisha Baker; Jeffina Wilson; Jeffrice Wilson Jr.; Dontae Wilson; Dameion Roark; twenty-one great-grandchildren; one uncle, Roy (Lorece) Gordon of Pocola, Oklahoma; and one sister who loved her dearly, Marilyn Betty Thompson of Kansas City, Kansas.

Val will always live in our hearts, minds and memories.

Where she once had pain and suffering, she now has PEACE.

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