Shirley A. (Clapper) Baker, 90, of Hoxie, Kansas, passed away Saturday,
February 19, 2022, at the Sheridan County Health Complex LTC. She was
born November 10, 1931, in Dodge City, Kansas, to Joseph L. and Wava L.
(Record) Clapper. Shirley grew up in Dodge City and graduated from Dodge
City High School in 1950. After graduating, she helped her mother take
care of her four brothers. On October 1, 1956, she married Byron Dwayne
Baker in Dodge City, Kansas. Shirley and Byron raised their children in
Goodland, Kansas. In 1977, they moved to Longview, Texas. In the early
'90s, Shirley and Byron moved to Hoxie, Kansas.
Shirley’s father trained horses, and as a young girl, Shirley helped
her father train the horses by being a jockey. While living in
Longview, Texas, Shirley owned and operated her own café and managed
apartments. For many years, she did Home Interior Decorating. During her
lifetime, she cooked for several restaurants and was a waitress. In
Hoxie, she owned and operated SHIRLEY’S STUFF and sold her baked goods,
especially her cinnamon rolls.
Shirley was a good athlete and enjoyed water skiing and swimming.
While living in Goodland, Shirley helped coach the swim team and helped
in any way she could. When Shirley was not working, she loved being
outdoors and enjoyed camping and fishing whenever she could. She was a
wonderful musician and sang with the Sweet Adelines in Colby, Kansas.
She was also an artist and did many oil paintings. Shirley had her own
art show at the Prairie Museum of Art and History in Colby. Shirley
enjoyed watching her grandkids participate in in all their activities
Shirley was a member of the Hoxie Christian Church where she served as a
deaconess and taught bible study and a lifelong member of the American
Auxiliary. She was a great supporter of her family, and they were the
most important people in her life.
Shirley is survived by her sons, Roger Baker and wife Tami of Port
Bolivar, Texas and Kirk Baker and wife Kelley of Hoxie, Kansas; daughter
Nicolet Davis and husband William of Stratton, Colorado; brothers,
Dennis Clapper of Hemphill, Texas and David Clapper of Hoxie, Kansas;
fifteen grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and two
great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Byron Baker; parents,
Joseph and Wava Clapper; brothers, Earl Clapper and Nicholas Clapper;
and half-sisters, Nadine Crookshank and Phyllis Peck.
A funeral service is planned for Friday, February 25, 2022, 10:30
A.M., at the Hoxie Christian Church with Pastor Carl Dumler presiding.
Visitation will be Thursday, February 24, 2022, at the Mickey-Leopold
Funeral Home, from 1:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with family greeting
friends from 5:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to the
Hoxie Christian Church or The Sheridan County Benefit Walk and sent in
care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740.
The service will be livestreamed on the Hoxie Christian Church Facebook
page. You may leave words of comfort at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.
Shirley was a hard worker and had a fire in her that will never die!
Her spirit and love for her family will forever remain in the hearts of
those who loved her.