Kitty Darlene Baker

October 22, 1934 - December 9, 2020

A graveside service for Kitty Darlene Baker of Bullard will be held on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in Flint Cemetery in Flint with Dr. Bill Waddell officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Darlene arrived at her eternal destination on December 9, 2020. She departed from her physical body but now has a new body in heaven where she will no longer be in pain, unrest or experience troubles. She is finally worry free, at rest and in peace. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Myrtle Carey; her first husband, Joe Kemp of 10 years; her second husband, James (J.T.) Thomas of 35 years; brothers, Damon (Buddy) Carey and Norwyn (Wendy) Carey; and granddaughter, Kristen Baker-Bartush. Darlene was born in Honey Grove on October 22, 1934. She graduated from Paris High School in 1952. She graduated from the Ruther Metropolitan School of Business in 1953. She worked in an insurance company, was a judge’s secretary, and was the secretary for the city of Paris in the engineers’ office. She also worked in Woolworths. Most of her life she spent as a homemaker. Darlene leaves behind 7 children: Mike and Aimee Baker of Spring, Vickie and Kim Fendley of Sumner, Tommy and Jackie Baker of Tyler, James Dennis and Deborah Baker of Snyder, Carey Joe and Betty Kemp of Tyler, Dee Ann and Bill Jagers of Cypress, and Valarie and Bill Waddell of Port Isabel; 16 grandchildren: Amanda, Trenton, Amelia, James, Nick, Lindie, Michael, Elizabeth, William, Allison, Joshua, Abigail, Hannah, Jennifer, Janet and Jay; 21 great-grandchildren: Isaac, Trenton, Colston, Katherine, Emma, Noah, Huxley, Hobbes, Conner, Cade, Jacob, Sarah, Brandon, Levi, Nolan, Zane, Ella, Violet, Cameron, Cash and the newest born August 1, Lily Jeanne. Darlene loved reading, gardening (especially roses), canning, making felt stockings for her grandchildren, traveling (her favorite trips were to see her children, Israel, Germany, Washington State, Ohio and Galveston with friends). She loved to collect dishes, butterflies, and turtles. She loved chocolate, pizza, donuts, her dog Sugar and her two cats. Darlene enjoyed spending time with her family, playing games, cooking, baking, decorating for the holidays and going to the zoo and to the ocean. She and her late husband, J.T., farmed watermelons and had several rental properties. Darlene helped with the plowing, selling watermelons, bookkeeping and in numerous other ways. Darlene attended Bullard Southern Baptist Church where she was a member of the Faithful Hearts Class for several years. She loved Jesus and learning about Him. I’m sure she is in heaven now with all her questions answered. In the past she served as the WMU president, on a building and grounds committee, taught Sunday School, worked in the nursery, and even served her community as a cub scout leader. She also worked as the election official for many years. She was a faithful contributor to Charles Stanley Ministries and the Veterans. Darlene lived in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. She lived in Flint for 37 years in a house that she and J.T. built. She moved to Bullard in 2008 where she built a house which was her final destination. In her final 8 years Darlene fought a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Darlene was a very caring, kind, smart, generous, loving, hardworking, faithful, wise, helpful, talkative, witty, fun, adventuresome, and thoughtful woman who loved to learn and who loved children. She lived a full and fruitful 86 years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to In Touch Ministries at www.intouch.org or Gideons International, P. O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.