Laverne Sorrels Baker
Laverne S. Baker of Carmichael, CA and a former resident of Los Angeles, CA from 1955 until 2015, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2023. She was a proud mother and teacher, caring sister and good friend, a woman of faith, an avid book reader, ice cream lover and passionate needlework stitcher.
Born on January 16, 1934 in North Bend, Oregon, she was the first daughter of the late Russel Dewey Sorrels and Alice Narcissa (Hersey) Sorrels. She is also preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Frank Arnold Baker on June 29, 2014, whom she met and fell in love with while they were both at USC and married on July 20, 1958.
At a very early age Laverne developed an interest in books and reading. As a child, when she was supposed to be sleeping and after her parents told her “lights out,” she would read books using a flashlight under the covers of her bed. Her father knew what she was up to, and sneaked new batteries in her flashlight without her ever knowing. As a young girl she also developed a fondness for ice cream. No other dessert would ever be her favorite. There was always ice cream in the freezer.
In 1952, Laverne had her very first job working for Ventura Public Library while also attending Ventura College. After that, she then graduated from the University of Redlands with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Children’s Literature and from the University of Southern California with a Masters degree in Library Science. Mrs. Baker started her career as a librarian at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, CA. She later became the librarian at John Muir Jr. High School in Los Angeles, CA. She enjoyed sharing her love of books with others, especially students. Overall she worked as a school librarian with the Los Angeles Unified School District for 34 years before retiring.
Laverne was a longtime member of La Tijera United Methodist Church in Westchester, CA and later, Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church in Sacramento. She was a member of United Teachers of Los Angeles and the honor society Beta Phi Mu. Mrs. Baker was also a lifetime member of Order of the Eastern Star - OES #79 as well as a lifetime member of the American Library Association. She also belonged to several needlepoint/stitching organizations including American Needlepoint Guild and Azure Verde chapter of Embroiderers Guild of America. Laverne won several awards throughout the years for her beautiful needlework artistry.
Surviving are her daughter, Tanya Lee Baker of Carmichael, CA; son, David Frank Baker of Arcadia, CA and her sister, Doreen Sorrels of Fairhope, AL.
Graveside services will be held at Burlington Cemetery in Burlington, WV on April 3, 2023 at 11:00am with the Reverend Vickie Minnich officiating.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Markwood Funeral Home in Keyser, WV.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in memory of Laverne Baker to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at donate.imaginationlibrary.com
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