BAKER, Orpha Mae

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ Apr 17, 2002, P. A6 Orpha Mae Baker of Lucerne, Calif., and a former longtime resident of Wickenburg, died April 5 in Lucerne. She was 79. Mrs. Baker was born April 13, 1922 in Dinuba, Calif., the daughter of Philip E. and Beulah (Bartholomew) Phillips. Her studies took place at both the College of the Sequoias and Fresno State College. She was married to Raymond A. Morris from 1941-1958, and in 1960 married Jerry D. Baker, who remained her life partner until his passing on Sept. 11, 1995. Orpha was an artist, sculptor, and museum curator/director, and was the recipient of numerous awards and recognition for her work. She was curator/director of the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg from 1967-1975, and was an active member of the Maricopa County Historical Society, the Arizona Federation of Business and Professional Women's Club, and the Wickenburg Business and Professional Women's Club. Her public service awards and nominations include Outstanding Citizen of the Year (Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce), Outstanding Community Service Award (Desert Caballeros), and Woman of the Year (Wickenburg BPW). She has been recognized in Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who of California, Personalities of America, and Personalities of the West and Midwest. She is survived by her four children: Philip R. Morris, Carol Obegi, Laura Williams and Margo Morris; and her elder sister Ruth McDowell. She was preceded in death by one grandchild and one great-grandchild, and is survived by 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.