Kathryn Luetishia Gray Baker, 79
June 18, 1947 – August 13, 2026
Kathryn Luetishia Gray Baker, known to family and friends as Kathryn, passed away on August 13, 2026, at Magnolia Place in New Albany, Mississippi, at the age of 79.
She was born on June 18, 1947, in Lafayette County, Mississippi, to the late Bruce W. Gray and Johnny Kate Anthony Gray. Kathryn lived a life marked by kindness, devotion, and quiet strength, and she will be remembered as a loving, faith-filled, and selfless woman whose presence brought comfort and encouragement to those around her.
Kathryn was a retired registered OR Nurse with North Mississippi Medical Center, where she served with professionalism, compassion, and dedication throughout her career. Her work reflected the same caring spirit that guided every part of her life. She was respected by her colleagues and appreciated for the steady grace she brought to her calling in nursing.
A faithful Christian, Kathryn was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where she found joy in worship, fellowship, and service. She loved her church family deeply and treasured the relationships she built through her faith. Her life was strengthened by her belief in God, and she shared that faith through her words, her actions, and the way she cared for others.
Kathryn enjoyed gardening and found peace in tending to the beauty of the outdoors. She also loved birdwatching, traveling, and going on mission trips. Her journeys took her to Africa and the Philippines, where she served with a willing heart and a generous spirit. These experiences reflected her desire to help others and to live a life of purpose beyond herself.
She is survived by her husband, Jimmy E. Baker; her son, Christopher Burks; her two step-daughters, Patricia Kay Welch and her husband David, and Kathryn Dawkins and her husband Jeff; her sister, Tammy Gray; and her three grandsons, James Caleb English, Taylor Eugene English, and Blake Dawkins. She also leaves behind many loved ones and friends who will cherish her memory and the example she set.
Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce W. Gray and Johnny Kate Anthony Gray, and by her son, Michael Burks. Though her family grieves her passing, they take comfort in knowing that she lived a full and meaningful life rooted in love, faith, and service.
Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew her best. Kathryn Luetishia Gray Baker will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her devotion to her family, her commitment to her church, and the many ways she blessed the lives of others.
Funeral services will be at Macedonia Baptist Church on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Bro. Seth Kirkland will officiate. Burial will be at Macedonia Cemetery.
United Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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