Judy Garland Sutton Baker

1943 - 2026

Judy Garland Sutton Baker, age 82, of Memphis, TN, passed away peacefully February 20, 2026, comforted by the presence of loving family and friends, at Methodist Hospital North, after a brief illness.

Judy was born on May 5, 1943, in Jackson, TN to the late Garland and Pauline Lewis Sutton and was one of ten children. She was preceded in death by most of her siblings. Her sister, who was the oldest sibling, Frances Sutton Anabtawi (Isam) of Groves, TX, brothers Henry Sutton (Doris), Bonny Sutton, Tex Sutton, and Steven Sutton, all of Memphis, Jerry Sutton (Barbara) of Downingtown, PA, and Paul Sutton of Fresno, CA. She joins in eternal rest her oldest son, Kenneth Wayne Baker and her grandson, Brandon Scott Baker, both of Memphis.

Her elementary school years were spent in Jackson, where she easily excelled academically and was an active member of Girl Scouts. With her older brother Jerry, they formed a tumbling and acrobatic-type act and performed all over Jackson at any event they could find that was taking place in the area.

After her parents moved the family from Jackson, she attended Bellevue Junior High and Central High Schools in Memphis where she continued to excel and was a straight A student. Her passion had shifted from tumbling to dancing, and she won many dance contests during the 60's and early 70's.

After completing her schooling, Judy worked as a bartender and later joined her family in the food service industry, working alongside her family members, Joyce, Bonny, and Tony, her nephew.

A faithful Christian, Judy believed her Lord gave her the strength to endure through both trials and triumphs and carried her safely through life's journey.

Among her many blessings, nothing compared to being "Nanny" to her grandchildren. She lovingly embraced the responsibility of helping raise several of her grandchildren when circumstances required it. Judy was full of love for her family.

She leaves behind three sons: Gregg Baker, Henry Scott Baker, and Carl Baker, all of Memphis. Judy is also survived by one sister, Joyce Price and one brother, Cecil Sutton (Jeannette), both of Memphis. She is survived further by her eight beloved grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Judy will also be missed by several neighbors who thoughtfully checked on her daily, as she still lived on her own. She was grateful for them as they generously assisted with taking her trash to the dumpster, as well as her apartment manager Angela, who checked her mailbox for her. Sitting in her wheelchair in the doorway of her apartment, always wearing her full face of makeup, she delighted in greeting her neighbors as they came and went.

A memorial service to honor Judy will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM, in the chapel at Colonial Park United Methodist Church. The address is 5330 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN, at the corner of Estate Avenue.

Arrangements are entrusted to Tennessee Cremations, Inc.