Roll Call Tribute

Published in the Beaumont Enterprise on Nov. 26, 2017

Beverly Collins Baker
1952-2017 Beverly Collins Baker passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 surrounded by her family. Beverly, a native of Beaumont, was born August 31, 1952 to Ed and Quida Collins. Beverly graduated from Forest Park High School in 1970. Like her older sister, Debbie, she was a cheerleader and active in many other school activities in addition to being a cum laude graduate. After two years at Sam Houston State University where she was also a cheerleader, Beverly transferred to Texas A & M University to be among the first group of women Aggies to reside on campus. Beverly excelled at A & M and was a member of the original A & M baseball team support group, the Diamond Darlins. She graduated in 1974 and after a few years as a high school teacher away from Beaumont, she returned home. Back at home, she met her soon to be husband Mike on a blind date in February 1979. They quickly fell deeply in love and married on December 15, 1979. Good times or bad, their love for each other has never faltered. This love was soon embodied in the pride of their lives, their children. Parenthood came much sooner than expected with the birth of all four during the first five years of their marriage. Knowing the rigors of childrearing, the mothers-in-law complained but not directly to Beverly or Mike. Quida called Linda, "You know they are going to Colorado, they'll drink margaritas and she'll come home pregnant. She can't manage that." Nine months later Clarke arrived. After Clarke's birth, never the shrinking violet, Mike's mom called Debbie and bluntly asked, "Do they know what is causing these kids to be born so close together?" Devoted to both Mike and her children, Beverly was a consummate wife and mother. No matter the school or church event, soccer, football, softball or basketball game, summer camp or Boy Scout event, she was there to encourage and support or bring in the food. She was also a woman of devout faith having grown up in Calder Baptist Church. Despite the logistics, Beverly always had all four children dressed to the tee and in Sunday School and church each and every week. Beverly never lost those innate instincts for being a wonderful mother. With the births of Molly, Will and Mary Grace, she treasured being their BeBe. Whenever we were with them, her only mission was to assure them that BeBe loved each one of them as wide as two arms could stretch. It is a real sadness this physical relationship will not continue but BeBe will always be with Molly, Will and Mary Grace in heart and spirit. Beverly was also a woman of class and elegance, although in her own quiet, hospitable and welcoming way. Her beauty was not only in her looks and dress but from her inner spirit as well. She always helped when she saw the need and was especially good at sharing her talent for cooking with those who needed a meal for a good or bad time or helping a friend with a school, group or church event or any event at all. But to know Beverly was to know a woman with a wonderful but unique sense of humor. Slightly off color with a touch of sarcasm Beverly could catch you off guard with an expression or a one-liner in a way you didn't really expect but would always bring laughs. She epitomized Proverbs 17.17, "A friend loves at all times." Beverly embraced friendship with loyalty and a "what can I do for you next" spirit. She shared many wonderful times with the Triple D's, Debbie Minyard, Debbie Burger and Darlene Iceton, as well as her close friend from early teen years, Linda McLemore. She also loved her many hours of conversation with her Mimi, Elma Rae Minyard. Their support over the years and especially the last two has been immeasurable. We have many others to thank and no listing will do justice to the many kindnesses the Bakers have received during Beverly's illness. But we would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Maria Zarzour, Dr. Christina Roland and all of their team at the M.D. Anderson Sarcoma Clinic, as well as Dr. Scott McKenney, Christie Shoemaker and all the others at Texas Oncology who cared for Beverly. Out deepest gratitude goes to Dr. Ed Collins and his extraordinary loving staff, especially Ashley Brew, who provided virtually daily care for Beverly over the last year. We also thank Dr. John Iceton who stepped in at a crucial moment in the last days. We also could not have made this journey without Javonne, Lance and Jesse of Carte Blanche Limousine and the dozens of incredibly wonderful and generous people who contributed funds to provide this service for the daily trips to M.D. Anderson. We are also extremely grateful for the loving care provided by Stacie Durio and the nurses and staff of Kindred Hospice. Finally, Mike takes the opportunity to express his deep gratitude for the compassionate understanding of his law partners. Beverly is predeceased by her parents, Ed and Quida Collins and her grandparents, Joe and Vaude (Mommy) McCuistion. Beverly is survived by her husband, Mike Baker; daughter Emily Baker of Austin; son Collin and his wife Kelly of Austin; son Clarke and his wife Katie of Beaumont; and son Clayton currently stationed at Eglin Air Base with the U.S. Army's 7th Special Forces Group; grandchildren Molly, Will and Mary Grace; sister Debbie Minyard and her husband Jerry of Beaumont; brother Dr. Ed Collins and his wife Karen of College Station; nephews Mark Minyard and his wife Ronda of Katy and Luke Minyard of Beaumont; nieces Kendall Collins of College Station and Becca Nacol and her husband Samuel Nacol of Beaumont; and cousins Jimmy McCuistion and Wanda McCuistion. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you consider donations to the Calder Baptist Phase III Building Fund or M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Memorial services for Mrs. Baker will be held on Monday, November 27, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Calder Baptist Church in Beaumont. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.