Frankie Jo Andress Baker

Visitation will start at 1:00 pm Thursday, May 9, 2024, with the Memorial Service celebrating the life of Frankie starting at 2:00 pm in the Chapel at Mulhearn Funeral Home, 2308 Sterlington Rd, Monroe, LA with Rev. Terry Barnes officiating.

Frankie was born in Fisher County, Texas to Era Faye Maberry Andress and Lonnie Ray Andress on October 21,1936.  She was the oldest of three children. Her brother Autry Don Andress followed 9 years later and after another 9 years her youngest brother, Ray Allen Andress joined the family.

Frankie died at the age of 87 on March 9, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital in Monroe, LA. She donated her body to LSU Medical School in Shreveport, LA. This shows her care for helping others even after her death.

She grew up in rural Texas and the benefits of small-town living and close family connections. She loved school and took part in everything that was available.  She participated in sports, FHA, cheerleading, and graduated as the Valedictorian of McCaulley High School, McCaulley, TX.

While she longed to continue her education, she was not able to go directly to college. After high school, Frankie worked at Southwesten Bell as a telephone operator. Later, she worked as the manager of the cosmetics department at Furr Foods.  While working at Furr Foods, she met her future husband, John Baker.  

John and Frankie’s first date was on April 7, 1956 and after a whirlwind courtship, they married on June 12, 1956.  While their courtship was short, their marriage was enviably long.  They were married for 67 years and 9 months.  John often said that they were happily married for 64 years.  He always qualified that by reminding us that 3 years of their marriage they were separated due to military service! 

Frankie was raised Methodist, yet after her marriage joined the Baptist church and faithfully attended church and supported both her husband as he served in music ministry wherever they lived and their children as they were active in youth programs. Her faith was one of her strengths and her love of family another.

Frankie and John had two daughters Dana and Lori and the four of them traveled extensively as a military family and shared many adventures that shaped all of their lives.  They lived in many states and in Germany and due to John’s assignments, Frankie was able to visit him in Saigon, Vietnam, Thailand, and Hawaii.   The love for travel continued throughout her life and through the Rotary Club, they were able to travel to Sweden, Canada (twice), England, Germany, and Singapore.

After John's retirement from the Army, they returned to Monroe, Louisiana and both worked in the Student Housing program at Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM).  They served as houseparents at Olin Hall and came to love working with the 800 men that called Olin Hall their home.   Then Frankie became the Associate Director of Housing before retiring.   While at NLU, Frankie was able to accomplish a lifelong goal of earning her collegiate degree.  There was a time when all four of the Bakers were NLU students at the same time.  Having classes with your mom was embarrassing because she earned better grades than you did but she always offered help with homework and studying for tests.

Frankie was always an active member of the community and local churches wherever they lived.  She was also involved with the local wives’ clubs and pursued artistic endeavors.  She volunteered in her daughters’ schools and always had an active and busy life.

Frankie and John have called Monroe home for 47 years and have remained active with the community. Frankie attended Parkview Baptist Church, and was a member of the PEO, Red Hats, and volunteered as an Ouachita Deputy Sheriff. She also participated in numerous art groups at the Senior Citizens Centers in both Monroe and West Monroe. 

Frankie and John enjoyed the many friends that they had made while living in Monroe. They especially enjoyed the many meals shared with friends at the Kitchen Restaurant.

Frankie was preceded in death by her parents, Faye and Lonnie Andress, sister-in-law Joy Andress and her in-laws, Clyde and John P, Baker Sr. and one of her best friends, her cousin, Peggy Ross

She is survived by her husband, John Baker Jr., daughters and sons-in-law, Dana (Matt) Kelly, and Lori (Lonnie) Menie, her grandchildren Shelby Menie (Sean Powless), Colby (Pepper) Menie, Dawn Menie, Odis Menie, Tamra (Craig) Newburn, Raine Kelly, Charese Kelly, Anna (Greg) Trent, Nicole Kelly and fourteen (plus one due in October) great grandchildren Frankie is also survived by her two brothers, Autry and Ray Andress and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Shriners Childrens Hospitals, or your favorite charity in memory of Frankie Baker.