Doris J. Baker

Doris J. States-Baker, 78, was born March 24, 1933 in Pueblo, CO to Ralph O. & Vena Elizabeth (Beach) States.  She attended schools in Stone City, CO and Penrose, CO.  Her junior year in high school the family moved to the Rocky Ford area and she attended and graduated from Rocky Ford High School in 1951. Also that year she met at the Rocky Ford Church of Christ, the love of her life, Elvis W. Baker.  They married August 28, 1951, in Pueblo.

They were blessed with three children, Sherry Pieper, Larry Baker and Alan Baker.  The family first lived in the Olney Springs area where Elvis farmed and worked for the Crowley County Road & Bridge.  Later they moved to Rocky Ford where they spent the majority of their 60 years together.

Doris worked at many area retail businesses including Valley Soopers and the Girch Center (now Inspiration Field) rummage store for 15 years as shop manager.  She loved the clients and had remained close a friend with several.  She retired in 1998.

In retirement she enjoyed going to yard sales, collecting blue carnival glass ware, and crocheting.  Doris was a life long member of the Church of Christ; active with the Rocky Ford and La Junta churches congregations in teaching children’s Bible Classes.  Over last ten years Doris’s constant companion was her little poodle mix, Peaches.  Peaches preceded her in death a few months ago.

Doris is survived by her husband, Elvis of Rocky Ford; daughter, Sherry (Larry) Pieper of San Isabel, CO; sons, Larry (Kim) Baker of La Junta and Alan (Cecilia) Baker of La Junta; seven grandchildren, Jamin Pieper, Jody (Amy) Pieper, Lanette (Monty) White, Shane (Amanda) Baker, Nicole (Eric) Hogan, Alan W. Baker and Preston (Alisia) Baker; 15 great-grandchildren; sister, Mae (Ivan) Majors; sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Jewel & Cal Stockton; sister-in-law, Dorothy Baker; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at the La Junta Church of Christ with Evangelist Terry Smalling officiating.  Interment will follow at Fowler Cemetery.  Visitation will be Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers will be Jamin Pieper, Alan Baker, Jody Pieper, Eric Hogan, Preston Baker, Shane Baker, and Monty White.  Music for the service will be by the Church of Christ Singers.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.


Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to the La Junta Church of Christ, 10th & Cimarron, La Junta, CO, 81050 direct or through the funeral home.