Candace Rhodes Baker

In Memoriam

Candace Rhodes Baker, 74, passed into eternal life August 24, 2022. She is deeply missed by her husband of 53 years, Dr. John W. Baker, son John W. Baker, Jr., his wife Kim, and their children, Bradley, Elle, and Charlotte; by her brother Dr. Fred A. Rhodes, his wife Suzy, of Santa Fe, and their children Robert and Anne Elizabeth. Candy was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Ruthe Rhodes of Houston.

Candy's first school, just married, was in east Baltimore, a windowless converted shoe factory with PE on the roof. English teachers created courses by choosing paperbacks in the bookroom. The newspaper she edited was linotyped. Tests were purple dittos, grades averaged by hand. There were no xeroxes, calculators, or computers, and no ESL for non-English speakers.

The principal was amazed when "that little lady" returned the next year, but she did. And for 39 more, teaching all levels from 7th grade through freshman college. From early childhood it was simply what she wanted to do.

Candy earned a dual-major BS in Ed. (Latin, English) from UT Austin, '68. The MA in English from U of H was earned in '85 while teaching Latin and English full-time and raising a family. John was born in 1981 and with motherhood Candy found fresh joy and larger purpose in life.

These were years of Latin Club chariot-building, John in soccer, writing lab, Disney World, marching band, research papers, cross country, mentoring new teachers, and AP English. Never mind evacuating a crumbly building in 2004, 45 student post-Katrina study halls, and those all-weekend grading marathons. It really was the best of times.

Candy is fondly remembered by colleagues as bright, sensible, and with a sharp wit. Her cherished Stratford HS friends were second family to her, always remembered with affection and respect: dedicated professionals, all balancing career and family together.

Kim completed our family in 2006. We then joined her family in Austin and soon welcomed precious triplet grandchildren.

Candy's Memorial Service was September 29, 2022 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, led by The Rev. Katie Leuba. Readers were Candy's niece, Lauren Tran-Guajardo and Candy's cousin, Cathy Owen of Kansas City.

"...She that believeth in me, though she were dead, yet shall she live" - John 11:25