Helen “Juanita” (Overstreet) Baker, 81, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Friday (April 11, 2014) at Kirksville Manor Care Center.

The daughter of Harry and Silvia (Thudium) Overstreet, she was born November 11, 1932 in New Boston, Missouri. On February 10, 1951 in Kirksville, Missouri, Juanita was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Baker Sr. who preceded her in death on August 23, 1995. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one son, Robert Lee Baker and one brother, Lloyd Overstreet.

Juanita is survived by one son Duane Baker and wife Jennifer Yager of Kirksville, MO; one daughter and son-in-law, Tana and Steve Bergland of Yarrow, MO; one brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Mary Jane Overstreet of Kirksville, MO; two sisters-in-law, Leola Baker of Kirksville, MO and Eleanor Overstreet of LasVegas; two brothers-in-law, Jack Baker and wife Betty of Utah and Amos Sayer and wife June of Milan, MO; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Juanita was a graduate from Kirksville High School with the Class of 1950. She went on to receive an LVN Associate of Science degree at Antelope Valley College and her RN degree at Chapman College both in Lancaster, California, graduating in 1981. From 1971 to 1978, Juanita was employed at the Lancaster Community Hospital and was employed part-time for Dr. Brown and Thompson from 1975 to 1978. Prior to her retirement in 1986, Juanita was a home health care giver for Hospice.

Juanita has been cremated and a memorial service to honor her life will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday (April 18, 2014) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Chaplain Carrol Davenport officiating.

Family will receive friends on Friday (April 18, 2014) for one hour before the memorial service in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Juanita Baker Memorial Fund. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.