Martha J. Baker-West, 101, of Bolingbrook, formerly of Waggoner, died on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the start of funeral services, at noon, on Saturday, May 13, at Hough Funeral Home in Raymond, with Pastor Paul Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Asbury Cemetery. Hough Funeral Home in Raymond is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mrs. Baker-West was born on Oct. 22, 1921, in Waggoner, to Frank and Marion (Fleming) Baker. On May 22, 1943, Martha became a war bride as she went on to marry Sgt. Kenneth West at a USO Dance in Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Together they raised two children, Linda and David. He preceded her in death in October 1984.
Mrs. Baker-West graduated from Waggoner High School in 1939 as valedictorian of her class. During WWII, she worked at the Munition Plant in East Alton to support her two brothers and uncles that were fighting overseas. Later on, she and her husband Kenneth operated a small grocery store in Waggoner for 25 years. She was also a member of the Waggoner Christian Church and the Waggoner Legion Auxiliary – Eastern Star.
Mrs. Baker-West spent the rest of her years devoted to her church, her family and her many friends, especially Junior and Freda Boston. She was an avid reader, soap opera fan, St. Louis Cardinals Baseball fan and a Republican.
Mrs. Baker-West is survived by her son, David (Nancy) West of Bolingbrook; grandsons Richard Drennan of Kentucky, Kirk (Dawn) West of Florida and Ryan (Kelly) West of Florida; great-grandchildren, Thomas, Lyssa, Kai, Michael and Caleb; Nancy’s three children Rickey, Sherri, and Venus, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; her brother, Thomas Alexander (Pat) Baker; sister-in-law, Doris Baker; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Linda Drennan,; sister, Mary E. Borden and brothers, Hobart and Robert Baker.
Memorials may be directed to the Farmersville/Waggoner Ambulance. Condolences can be left online at houghfuneralhome.com.
