Joyce Morrill Baker, 96, of Pine Knoll, Southern Pines died on Friday, February 09, 2018, at the Saint Joseph’s Health Center.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 2pm in the Chapel at Pine Knoll with Pastor Mike Dubbs officiating, along with Reverend Archie Stevens.

Mrs. Baker was born in Eveleth, MN, the daughter of Lois June McInnis Morrill and Clarence Hugh Morrill, Jr. She is survived by her sister, Betty Alden Morrill Bridenbaugh and her brother, Robert James Morrill.

Mrs. Baker served in the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C. during World War II from 1942 to 1945 and was promoted to Chief Petty Officer WAVE in the Bureau of Ordnance, the first in that Bureau and only 12th in the Navy. At the Bureau of Ordnance, she met her future husband, Douglas H. Baker, who was a Lieutenant.

Mrs. Baker was discharged in 1945, and she and Douglas were married on January 19, 1946 in New York City at the Little Church Around the Corner. They lived in Brooklyn until Douglas accepted employment as an engineer with Allis-Chalmers Hydraulic Turbine Division in York, PA.

They spent 37 years in York where they raised three children. In 1983, after Doug’s retirement, they moved to Whispering Pine, NC where they enjoyed life until Doug passed away in March 0f 2007. At that time, Joyce moved to the Pine Knoll community where she lived until her death.

Mrs. Baker is survived by her two sons, Gregory Baker and his wife, Vickie, of Palm Coast, FL, Randall Baker, and his wife, Kathy of Beacon Falls, CT and her daughter, Janice Farina, and her husband Ralph, of Downingtown, PA. She has nine grandchildren, Todd Baker, and his wife, Lynda, Travis Baker, and his wife, Jennifer, Tiffany Baker, and her fiancé, Chris Orange, Jenifer Farina Lucia, and her husband Frank, Lauren Farina Giangiulio, and her husband Derek, and Samantha Farina, Kris Baker, Liz Baker, and Carolyn Baker Sasso and her husband, Anthony. She also has nine great-grandchildren, Nicholas Baker, Sidney Baker, Phoebe Baker, Mirren Orange, Carmine Lucia Camila Lucia, Elodie Giangiulio, Lennon Giangiulio, and Vincent Lewis Sasso.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Community Congregational Church, 141 N. Bennett Street, Southern Pines, NC 28287.

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Lois Joyce Baker, please visit Boles’ Tribute Store.

Online condolences: BolesFuneralHome.com.

Mrs. Baker’s family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers at Sandhills Sentinel.

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