Avis Gailene (Speaks) Baker, 80, of Kirksville, MO passed away peacefully on Monday February 26, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family. The daughter of Gail Gaines Omar and Mildred Pearl (Cross) Speaks, she was born on March 29, 1943 in Kirksville. She was united in marriage to William Harold Baker on December 6, 1961, and of that union two children were born.
Gailene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one sister, Dixie Lee (Gus) Penicaro, and three brothers, Albert Martin (surviving, Anna), Clell Omar, and Michael Guy (surviving, Verna) Speaks.
She is survived by her two children, Susan “Susie” Colette Keim and William “Bill” Harold Baker, Jr., two grandchildren, Alaina Gailene Oliver (Jamie) and Adam Kendal Keim (Casey Rethmeier), two “honorary” grandchildren, Dazmine Shane Wagnon and Rajah Marie Wagnon, and three great grandchildren, James Warren, Elijah Adam, and Gemma Colette Oliver. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews as well as several great nieces and nephews, each of whom she loved dearly.
Services will be held on Saturday March 9, 2024 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 10:00am and funeral to follow at 11:30am. She will be laid to rest beside her late husband on Monday March 11, 2024 at 11:00am at Forest Hill Memorial Park South in Memphis, TN.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Adair County Humane Society and may be left at or mailed to Travis Noe Funeral Home, PO Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.