Deanie Baker

June 20, 1942 –  December 26, 2021

Deanie Baker, a successful businesswoman and friend to many, died December 26, 2021.  A member of Covenant Presbyterian Church (EPC), Deanie studied at Louisiana Tech University and Northeast Louisiana University. She always cut her own path, starting her own real estate business, DB Real Estate, Inc., in 1986.  Her tireless work ethic and infectious personality will be missed by all.   Deanie had a giving spirit and a presence that exuded calm in the midst of the most challenging situations.   When a crisis was brewing or a storm on the eve of a wedding or special event, Deanie was always there to save the day for her friends and family.    Deanie had the uncanny ability to identify the problem before the person she was helping even knew they had a catastrophe on their hands.   As simple as a legal pad full of notes and the point of the finger, she made everyone’s worries effortlessly disappear in the most challenging of circumstances.

Her dedication to local charities was unmatched.  Deanie and Tom opened their home to countless charities over the years and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars whether it be for large fundraisers such as University of Louisiana Monroe Night of Champions or the famous lobster dinners that they donated whenever called upon by local schools and charities.

Deanie wore many hats.  She was a businesswoman, philanthropist, friend, sister, advisor to many and mother to her two children, Toni and Guy.   However, she would say that her most important and gratifying role was being Maw Maw to her grandchildren, Jane and Claire Campbell.   She loved having the girls come visit in the afternoons and sit in her lap as they had done since they were born.  Always up to the task for any event or to bring lunch to school at the drop of the hat, Maw Maw was always there for them.  Deanie wasn’t just Maw Maw to her grandchildren, she was Maw Maw to everyone who needed her.

Always the consummate party host, Deanie gained elite status in the 1990s when she and Tom took her father’s motor home down to LSU to tailgate before the games.  What Archie, Deanie’s father, used as a vehicle to travel to paint churches during the week, Deanie turned into the most sought-after tailgate invitation under the shadow of Tiger Stadium with her famous lambchops and beef tenderloin.   Over the years, the motor home got bigger, and the parties grew larger, but her attention to detail never wavered.    The motor homes came and went, but the show had to go on for Deanie. The tailgate just simply moved to Deanie and Tom’s home.  Every Saturday, her home was filled with the friends and family she loved to entertain.    Most people look at all the parties and countless events she orchestrated and are amazed by her tireless efforts.  She never complained regardless of her health because she loved and was fueled by seeing the joy in the faces of people she cared for so deeply.    Deanie was unwavering in her pursuit to please, even up to her last tailgate at home on the Saturday before she went into the hospital.  A giving and unselfish heart with a spirit that permeated the souls of her family and friends, Deanie’s unmistakable dimples and infectious smile will be missed by everyone.

Deanie is survived by her husband Tom Baker; children, Toni Oakley (Clay) and Guy Campbell III; grandchildren, Jane Campbell and Claire Campbell; sister, Sally Phillips; nieces Kathy Myers (Stephen) and Kelly Johnson.  Deanie was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Archie White; sisters Betty Brownell and Edith Homelsky; brother, William Myer.

Honoring Deanie as pallbearers will be Charles Marsala, Dr. Lawrence Danna, Chip Norman, Eugene Montgomery, Kirby Price, and Ted Hopkins.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Deanie’s name to the ULM Foundation or Covenant Presbyterian Church.

A service of remembrance for Deanie will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, December 30, 2021, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1901 Milton Street, Monroe, LA with Reverends John Mabray and Jonathan Wagner officiating. Reflections of her life will be delivered by her son, Guy Campbell, III and dear family friend, Charles Marsala. Visitation will be held from 9:30 A.M. until service time at the church. Entombment will follow at Kilpatrick’s Serenity Gardens Open Air Mausoleum, 8729 Cypress Street, West Monroe, LA. Services are under the direction and care of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe.

For those unable to attend services in person, live streaming will be available;  https://covenantepc.sermon.net

Online condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

Monroe, LA