Evelyn Jean Baker passed peacefully at Ruby Memorial Hospital on Thursday, May 16, 2024, with her family at her side.
Jean was born on June 22, 1935, to the late Henry Isaac Trickett and Mildred Irene Watkins Trickett in Independence.
Evelyn Jean graduated from Grafton High School in 1953. She met the love of her life while working in the family country store on Grafton Road. On Dec. 24, 1954, she married Franklin Baker from Morgantown, where they were blessed with four children.
In the early 80s, Jean began working at the Furniture Galleon in Westover for her good friend, Beulah Widmer, where she retired in 1992.
Jean was very involved in stock car racing at Morgantown Speedway. You would see her every Saturday night at the pit window, and she also handled the winnings after the races were over. She then held down the office at the Interstate 79 Speedway when son, Steve, began promoting there in 1990. She was an avid fan and followed Steve’s racing career when he was a driver and continued to follow the national dirt racing scene on her iPad.
Jean was “Mom Baker” to lots of racers and others, as she always welcomed all into her home. She took care of everyone, even on some nights driving the truck with the racecar on the trailer down I79 after a celebration of a win at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway.
Jean was an avid bowler and traveled all over the United States to tournaments. This spurred her love of travel, and she traveled whenever she could. She loved going to Florida for Speedweek and then more recently, just to sit and relax by the pool.
For many years Jean was Secretary-Treasurer for the Westside Senior Center and only recently retired from that position. She was very active with the Westover Civic Club and was also a Red Hatter. Jean loved to play cards at the senior center and to cheer on the Mountaineers on game days. She was also instrumental in running the bingo games on Wednesday evenings.
Jean is survived by her four children, Cheryl Baker-Stasiak, Stephen (Sherre) Baker, Cynthia (Peter) Oliver and Kenneth (Andrew Harrison) Baker; five grandchildren, Franklin (Lindsey) Baker, Henry Oliver, Arielle (Drew) VanderWijst, Kyle Harrison and Allison Harrison; one great-grandchild, Cooper VanderWijst; one brother, William (Rheua) Trickett; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Baker; brothers, Donald and Howard Trickett; and her son-in-law, John Stasiak.
The family would like to thank special friend, Delores Matheny, for her support and help over the last few months and Laurie Crytser Barbe for always being there. They also appreciate the staff of WVUH Hospice and Morgantown Healthcare Center for their help.
The family will receive friends from 3-7 p.m. at McCulla Funeral Home in Westover on Monday, May 20, and again from 10 a.m. on Tuesday until the 11 a.m. service. Burial will follow in Beverly Hills Cemetery, where Jean will be laid to rest beside her husband.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Westside Senior Center, 500 DuPont Road, Westover, WV 25501.
Condolences:
www.McCulla.com
