Velma JoAnne Baker

Obituary For Velma JoAnne Baker

Velma JoAnne Baker was born on February 1, 1956, in Hastings, Florida, to the late Bobbie Jean Baker and Jimmy Lee McHolmes. She departed this life on September 16, 2026. Velma was educated in Hastings and graduated from W.E. Harris in 1974. She went on to BCU to pursue a career in physical education from 1974–1978.
She was raised in the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, where she served in the junior and young adult choirs. She was employed with Brookdale for more than 25 years, retiring in 2025. She loved cooking, dancing, card games, and crossword puzzles.

She was preceded in death by: Her mother, Bobbie Jean Baker; Her father, Jimmy Lee McHolmes; Her son, Zandarian Brown; Her granddaughters, Sa'Raeya Brown, and Amoura Brown; Her grandsons, Zymir Brown, Zandarian Brown Jr.; Her brother, Arden Baker; partner in love, Willie Lee Brown Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory: Her son, Vamon Baker (Utasha Christoff); Her daughter, Tyris Brown; Her brothers, Eric Baker (Darrylyn Baker) and Dwaundle Baker (Stacy King Brown);
Her sisters, Ardrene Wesley, Pastor Shenandoah Session Willis (Isaac Willis), Chloris Baker, and Delvenere Baker; Her grandchildren, Zaniyah Foxx, Jamaryn Moment, TaeLynn Brown, Journei Brown, Zha'Naviah Brown, Zacarri Brown, Nevaeh Baker, JaMon Baker, Demonae Baker, Samarah Baker, Tre'Monn Baker, A'Lani Baker, and K'Lani Baker; Her aunts, Marvel Sherman Davis (Henry); and Mae Burch; Her uncle, Robert Lee Sherman; Her special niece, LaQuandra Floyd;
Her host of nieces and nephews; Her devoted friend, Cynthia Lewis;
And a host of other relatives, extended family members, friends, and loved ones.
Velma JoAnne Baker leaves behind a legacy of love, family, faith, and cherished memories. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her. May she rest peacefully in God's loving arms.

Visitation: 5-6 p.m., Friday, September 25, 2026, at Gethsemane MB Church, 317 Daniels Street, Hastings, Florida

A Celebration of Life: 12:00 p.m., Saturday, September 26, 2026, at The Lord's Temple, 140 Gilmore Street, Hastings, Florida

Interment will be held in Pattersonville Cemetery

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