Shirley Marie Baker

Shirley Marie Baker, 88, of Amarillo formerly of Canadian passed away August 22, 2024.

Public viewing will be available on Sunday, August 25, 2024, between 1 pm and 8 pm or on Monday, August 26, 2024, between 8 am and 12 pm at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Home, 203 S 3rd St, Canadian. 

Funeral service will be at 2 pm, Monday, August 26, 2024, at First Christian Church, 402 E Purcell Ave, Canadian with Matt Cook officiating, followed by graveside services at Edith Ford Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian. 

Shirley was born June 1, 1936, in Apache, Oklahoma to the late William (Bill) and Leona Ecker. She graduated from Amarillo High School in 1954. She lived in Apache Oklahoma, Hobbs New Mexico, Claude, Dumas, Amarillo, Glen Rose and Canadian. She married Carell Handley in 1956 and had 3 children, then in 1999 she married Charles Wayne Baker and moved to Canadian. Shirley became a member of First Christian Church in Canadian and retired from Southwestern Public Service in 1999. She was a voluntary worker at Abraham Nursing Home in Canadian for 19 years. She loved her God and wasn’t ashamed to tell anyone about her beliefs. Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great children were the light of her life. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for any of them. She taught Bible classes for much of her adult life. She was also a bit of a fashionista all her life. Her hair had to be fixed just right, and her shoes, purse, and jewelry always had to match whatever she was wearing. She loved making jewelry and working with her hands doing arts and crafts. 

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Wayne Baker; 1 sister, Phyllis Ecker Weaver; 1 brother, Clifton Ecker.

She is survived by her sons, Mark Handley and wife Mary of Alvarado, and Kelly Handley and wife Rebecca of Amarillo; daughter, Laurie Crouch and husband Randy of Magnolia; 1 brother, Mike Ecker and wife Rita of Amarillo, TX; 1 sister, Janette White of Amarillo; 8 grandchildren,14 great grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.