Jackie Lavonne Baker, formerly of Salina, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in Benton, Kansas, after a courageous battle with dementia. Her youngest daughter, Deena, served as her primary caregiver for more than nine years. Through her unwavering love and devotion, Deena made it possible for Jackie to remain in her home until the end of her life. It was truly a circle-of-life moment: Jackie was there to welcome her daughter into the world, and Deena was by her mother’s side, holding her hand as she entered eternity.

Jackie was born on January 31, 1940, in Thomasville, North Carolina, to Colonel Anthony Conn and Clara Mae Conn. Following her parents’ divorce, she was adopted by her stepfather, Master Sergeant Joseph Rotz, and became part of a military family that moved frequently. Along with her younger half-brother, Joseph “Butch” Rotz, Jr., she experienced life in many places before the family eventually settled in Kansas.

Jackie graduated from Salina High School in May 1958 and shortly thereafter married her high school sweetheart, Jackie (Jack) L. Baker, Sr. Together they built a loving family, welcoming seven children over the next thirteen years: Beverly, Michael, Jackie “Jay” Jr., Scott, Richard, Francine, and Deena. Their love story and partnership endured for nearly sixty years, until Jack’s passing in 2018.

Jackie and Jack shared a passion for providing opportunities for children of color to participate in sports during a highly segregated era. For more than thirty years, while Jack coached youth sports teams through The Salvation Army Community Center on North Santa Fe in Salina, Jackie worked tirelessly behind the scenes. She managed concessions, coordinated transportation, scheduled activities, and oversaw equipment. Jackie often joked that she “kept Jack in line,” but in reality, they worked side by side with mutual respect and a shared commitment to serving others. Their dedication to the youth of Salina’s north end touched countless lives. In recognition of their more than sixty years of combined service, they were honored with The Salvation Army’s prestigious “Others Award” in 2015.

Jackie had a special love for both children and senior citizens, and she devoted her career to organizations that reflected those passions. She worked with the Summer Playground Program through the Salina Parks and Recreation Department and drove buses for the Black American Citizens Organizations (BACOS), the Saline County Commission on Aging, and OCCK.

Jackie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jack L. Baker, Sr.; her mother, Clara Mae Rotz; her adopted father, Joseph Rotz; her biological father, Colonel Anthony Conn; her brother, Joseph (Butch) Rotz, Jr.; her grandson, Corey Baker; and her cherished parents-in-spirit, Uncle Mike and Aunt Ethel.

She is survived by her seven children: Beverly (Douglas) Peterson of Sun City Center, Florida; Michael Baker of Huntington, West Virginia; Jay (Carol) Baker of Marquette, Kansas; Scott Baker of Liberty, Missouri; Richard (Tammy) Baker of Salina, Kansas; Francine Woerner of Bradenton, Florida; and Deena Baker of Benton, Kansas. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Matthew, Dana, Jarred, Jacob, Barbara, Trevor, and Morgan, as well as fifteen great-grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating Jackie’s life will be held at The Salvation Army Corps Community Center, 1137 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Salina, Kansas, on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. Beverly (Baker) Peterson will officiate. We invite attendees to wear KC Chiefs gear,  especially #15 for her favorite player, Patrick Mahomes.

In accordance with Jackie’s wishes, she was cremated, and her ashes will be reunited with Jack’s. Together in life and together for eternity.

As her grandson Matthew so beautifully expressed:

“Jackie and Jack. Jack and Jackie. Two names always linked. A more generous and loving couple would be hard to find.”