Mary Anne Baker

Mary Anne Housley Baker, 97, was called home Nov.9, 2022, by her heavenly Father and family. Perhaps it is fate and a bit romantic that her passing comes on the 30th anniversary of her beloved husband's death. Mary Anne was born June 24, 1925, to Joseph Jefferson "Bose" Housley and Minnie E. Curtis Housley in Hot Springs, Ark. She graduated from Hot Springs High School and lived there until her marriage to Joseph R. Baker in 1947. They started their family and eventually settled in North Little Rock, Ark., in 1955. Joe designed and built their house that would become her home for the next 63 years. Their happiness, love and devotion spanned 45 years with their daughter, Rosemary, and son, Joe David, at their side. Through her children's grade school years, Mary Anne was a devoted homemaker until Rosemary and Joe David went on to college. It was then that she began working for Stanley's Jewelers and with the Arkansas Council on Aging in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. After retiring, she dedicated her time to volunteering at the First United Methodist Church in North Little Rock as a life member, embracing her grandchildren with love, and caring for her husband until his death in 1992. Following the untimely death of her son Joe David in 2018, she moved to Flower Mound, Texas, and lived with her daughter and son-in-law. Starting this new chapter in her life, she was fortunate to welcome three great-grandchildren and become an unyielding source of love and compassion to them. Holding these great-grandchildren and watching them grow brought so much joy to her life. Mary Anne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son; brother, Floyd Housley; and sisters, Susan Moore and Geneva Holle. She is survived by her daughter, Rosemary Baker Torrence and son-in-law Craig Torrence; grandsons, Cliff Edward and Andrew Joseph Torrence (Heather); great-grandchildren, Jett Nolan, Sheppard David, and Leah Layne Torrence; niece, Dana Pennington; nephew, Doug Baker (June); and niece Susan West (Mark). Visitation will be held at the Flower Mound Family Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 16, from 5-7 p.m. Graveside services will be held at a later date at Ozan Cemetery in Bingen, Ark., with Reverend Don Nolley officiating.