ALTAMONT — Joyce E. Baker, 81, of Altamont died at 7:45 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at her home.   

She was born June 17, 1930, in Altamont to James L. and Lena I. (Lewis) Baker. She grew up and attended schools in Altamont and was a 1950 graduate of Labette County Community High School. Prior to marriage, she worked at Hallmark Cards in Parsons.

She married Thomas L. “Tom” Baker in Winfield. They made their family home in Altamont, where they owned and operated Baker’s Texaco service station for 52 years.   

She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Altamont, where her grandparents and great-grandparents were charter members.  She also participated in the We Care and White Cross ladies’ groups at the church, had served on the flower and food committees for numerous years and in younger years was co-sponsor of the Ann Judson Guild.

In 1985, Joyce and Tom were Altamont Sweethearts for Flag Day and were honored by the Lions Club for the Distinguished Service Award in 2006. She enjoyed cooking, decorating the bulletin board at the senior apartments and spending time with her family and friends. She especially enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities.

Survivors include her husband, Tom Baker of the home; two daughters, Jerry Bolen and her husband, Mike, and Vicky Haraughty, all of Altamont; six grandchildren, Todd Merrick and his wife, Kim, of Webb City, Mo., Michelle Vance and her fiance, Danny Bernd, of Cherryvale, Shelley Gardner and her husband, Mark, Greg Haraughty and his wife, Hanna, and Clint Vance, all of Altamont, and Keli Hess and her husband, Chris, of Gardner; five great-grandchildren, Sloane Vance, Ingrida Vance, Lauren Merrick, Nolan Haraughty and Jake Haraughty; and a sister, Shirley Johnston and her husband, Bill, of Vinita, Okla.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Orville and Clyde Baker; a son-in-law, Mitch Haraughty, on June 7, 2002; and a niece, Glenda Thompson.

The service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Altamont. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.

Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church in Altamont or Proud Animal Lovers Shelter in Parsons. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, 67330.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.