Bessie "Inez" Baker

Bessie Inez (Watts) Baker, known lovingly to her friends and family as Inez, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2023 at the age of 105. Inez was born in a small farmhouse near the town of Mountainair, NM on June 13, 1918. Inez was the fourth child to Lillie and Marvin Watts. Inez spent her childhood in the Manzano Mountains eventually moving into Mountainair where she attended Mountainair High School. Inez married Bob Baker on April 29, 1939 in Willard, NM. Bob and Inez lived in various cities in New Mexico, eventually moving to California where Bob worked as a welder in the California Ship Yard during World War II. The family moved from California to Arizona before eventually coming back to New Mexico. Inez had three children: eldest daughter Carolyn, son Jack and youngest daughter Lavon. Inez had various jobs throughout her life, but most important to her was her family and her faith. Inez was a dedicated member of multiple congregations in the Mountainair area including the Nazarene and Baptist Church. Inez lost her husband Bob after 38 years of marriage and although devastated over the loss, she used her deep faith and remarkable strength to continue raising and taking care of her family. Inez is known to all as a pillar of strength, a matriarch to her family and a true example of how the power of kindness can leave a lasting impact on generations of people. Inez was known as a gifted quilter and a fantastic cook; she could somehow make a meal out of nothing, whip up a batch of dinner rolls in no time and make an apricot pie that would put a smile on anyone’s face. She will forever be remembered as a kind, giving and beautiful soul with an unforgettable sense of humor and the ability to relate to any person or situation even in a constantly changing world that spanned a 105-year-old lifetime. Inez is predeceased by her siblings Oleta, Bud, Audie Mae and Thelma; her loving husband Bob Baker, daughter Carolyn Hutton and her grand-children Jimmy and Allen Hutton. Inez is survived by her son Jack Baker (Beverly) and her daughter Sherrie Lavon Riebsomer (Jim). Her grandchildren include Sheri Caster (David); Robby Baker (Tara); Eric Riebsomer (Megan Kalm); Kim Riebsomer (Julia Bain); Josh Riebsomer; Chad Riebsomer (Claire). Great grandchildren include Savanna Morgan (Tim); Kristen Voight (Joseph); Kyle Caster; Isla Baker; Devin and Logan Riebsomer; Ethan, Ben and Mackenzie Riebsomer. And of course, her great-great grand-children, Tanner and Corbin Voight. No words can express the gratitude and love her family has for this remarkable woman. We celebrate her life knowing she is with her Lord and Savior now and enjoying a great family reunion with all those she lost in her life. Services will be held on October 14, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Mountainair, NM. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Mountainair.