Obituary of Joyce Elizabeth Baker

September 11, 1936  - October 31, 2019

Joyce E. Baker.  Age 83 of Southgate.

Beloved wife of William Baker. Loving mother of Shelly (James) Jaroszewski, Kay (Steve) Friend and Gwendolyn (David) McBride.  Dearest grandmother of James Jaroszewski, Joseph Jaroszewski, Juliann Haverlock, Christopher McBride, Rebekah Tenter, Bryan McBride, Dale McBride, Katie Braden and Stephanie Root.  Dear sister of Louise (Robert) Kamprath.  Also survived by 23 great grandchildren.   Preceded in death by parents Harlen and Pearl Rehberg.

Memorial contributions are appreciated to Somerset Beach Campground.

Family Tribute

Joyce was born on September 11, 1936.  She was raised in Maybee, Michigan by her parents Harlen and Pearl Rehberg. She was the elder sister to Louise Kamprath. Joyce married her high school sweetheart, William Baker, on July 10, 1954. Joyce was a homemaker and mother to three daughters, Shelly (Jaroszewski), Kay (Friend), and Gwendolyn (McBride). Bill and Joyce were apart of the US Naval family for two years until they settled down in Southgate, Michigan.

Joyce was a Christ follower. She had a heart to serve her Lord by serving the church and others. She taught Sunday School, Bible clubs and sang in choir. She loved to talk about Jesus and would take every opportunity to share him with anyone she came in contact with.

Joyce and Bill were blessed with the opportunity to spend their winter months in Fort Myers, Florida. For many years they gathered seashells to make ornate crafts. They would spend their spring and summer months selling their creations at craft shows across the midwest. While in Florida they spent many years as members of McGregor Baptist Church where they were apart of bible studies and the Legacy Singers traveling choir.

Joyce enjoyed baking, crafting, and gardening. She was always looking forward to planning her next adventure. When her children were young they spent weeks traveling all over the continental United States, and camping in many national parks. She enjoyed cruising and was even able to take a trip to visit the Holy Land.

He greatest joy was her family. She spent countless hours in prayer and teaching for he nine grandchildren and twenty three great grandchildren about the Lord. She did everything in her power to support the various events and activities of her grandchildren. She would gladly watch tee ball, soccer, football, theater performances, concerts and recitals. Joyce would not be without a smile on her face while surrounded by her kids.

For many years the Bakers could be found camping on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends at Somerset Beach Campground with their entire family. This was a time for the family to reconnect and have fun. In recent years, Joyce and Bill have spent their summers volunteering at the camp during the youth camp season.

Joyce was a uterine, ovarian, and colon cancer survivor. She battled cancer on three different occasions in her life.  During her treatment, she never complained but looked for opportunities to speak of the goodness of the God in her trials. Though cancer broker down her physical body, her faith remained strong and secure that one day she would be completely healed. She looked forward to the promise in Revelation 21:4, “ He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”