Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....(Gillespie) Baker, Lois Kathleen April 8, 2005
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
K T bluewolf@onemain.com April 13, 2005, 12:20 am

The Bakersfield Californian 
Lois Kathleen Baker
Services: Thurs., Apr. 14, 1:00 p.m.

Lois Kathleen Baker passed away at home on April 8, 2005, after a short but 
rigorous battle with lung cancer in the care of various nieces and nephews who 
loved her dearly. 

Lois was born in Bakersfield, California, on August 31, 1926, to Jon Conley 
Gillespie and Zoe Gillespie, the ninth of eleven children. Married to J. Reid 
Baker in 1942, they remained together for 58 years until he died in 2000.

Aunt Koko as she was affectionately named by her nieces and nephews, never had 
children of her own, but considered her nieces and nephews as her own and many 
of them considered her their second mother as she shared in the care and 
nurturing of most of them over their years of childhood, and her Great-
Aunthood, as she became grandma to their offspring. When she was not caring 
for or enjoying her extended family, she worked in Bakersfield for over 40 
years as a clerk in various hotels. Besides reading or listening to books on 
tape as her eyesight failed late in life, her one other passion besides family 
was gambling. Her frequent treks to nearby gaming locales became a passion in 
her later years, making trips with both family and friends. Never lacking a 
sense of humor, even near, the end, Aunt Koko always enjoyed a good joke and 
the lighter side of life. Upon hearing that she had terminal cancer, as she 
lay in the hospital, she told us that her neighbor was getting her car gassed 
and ready to go gambling one last time, since she had decided to leave the 
hospital to spend her last days at home. She thought she could make one more 
trip. Sadly, it was not to be, as she died less than a week later, but she 
told us, she was convinced the slots Were calling her name.

Aunt Koko (Lois) is survived by her brothers, Bob and Tom Gillespie both of 
Bakersfield and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Graveside services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 14, 2005, at 
Greenlawn Southwest Memorial Park, 2739 Panama Lane.

In lieu of flowers, you have two options: take a trip to a nearby Indian 
casino or Las Vegas, and make a bet or drop a coin in a slot in her honor. By 
the way, the Wheel of Fortune was top on her list of favorites. Or if you are 
not a gambling kind, a donation to the American Cancer Society, 
(www.cancer.org) would be appreciated. Well miss you, dear lady, as we are all 
fighting over the green spinning chair! And, the next quarter is for you, Aunt 
Koko!

Greenlawn Southwest Mortuary

Funeral Directors 


Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased.

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