Dara Jade Baker, age 24, was born in Cookeville on February 24th, 1999. She always took pride in being a 90s baby even though she almost missed it. She left this world too early on July 10th, 2023. She was a Van Buren County Native and a class of 2017 graduate from Van Buren County high school.
She is preceded in death by, paternal grandfather; Johnny Baker, and maternal grandfather; Norman Thomas.
Dara is survived by her loving family; parents, Kenny and Hope Baker, Patsy and Ellis Lilly, brothers; Jared (Leah) Baker, Darrin (Hollie) Baker, and Jacob Strickler, sisters; Jaylan Baker, Iliana Baker, paternal grandmother; Virginia Baker, maternal grandmother; Evelyn Thomas, uncles; Rodney (Carrie) Baker, Derek (Brittany) Baker, aunts; Gwen Thomas, Kathy Allen, nieces and nephews; London Baker, Luna Baker, Tristan Baker, Ronan Baker, cousins; Kaitlin, Georgia, Pharaoh, Hero, Desarai, John Isaac, and Gabriel, a large extended family also survives.
Dara always walked to her own beat. No one could ever tell her differently. She was going to do what she was going to do, no ifs, ands, or buts. She did not care what other people thought and that sometimes got her into arguments. And if you didn’t get into an argument with her, did you really know Dara? Jared was like another dad to Dara, hence her morbid sense of humor and penchant for pyromania. Darrin let her get her driver’s license with her Barbie Jeep at 5 years old. Jaylan never had to call 9-1-1, she always called her big sister. Dara loved Iliana’s big brown eyes. Dara was just like Gwen in many ways, acted so gruff but had a heart as big as the universe. Her nieces and nephews meant the whole world to her. She was always stuck to her mom’s hip like Gorilla Glue shouting, “Love on me!” She was daddy’s girl even though they butted heads; not only did they look alike, but they also acted alike. She loved her family more than anything, except maybe for Dr. Pepper. A special thank you to MacKenzie Dunlevy-Baker and Jacob Sparkman for always being there for Dara.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in the Layne Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. RC Christian officiating. A Visitation period with the family will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023, from 1:00pm until the time of service at 5:00pm.
Send condolences to the family at www.laynefuneralhome.com
