Mary Twila Humpherys Baker

On February 21, 2003, the music stopped as Twila passed from this life and returned to her heavenly father in the early hour of the morning.

Though her memory faded in her later years, she never stopped bringing a smile to the faces she met as her spirit, charm, energy and determination were always high, her heart full and ready to serve. She brought the joy of music to countless lives as she played the piano and organ effortlessly and could recall and play any church hymn or tune from her era - an ability that stayed with her the longest. Her musical legacy is a family that has a love of music, a daughter that has filled her shoes, teaches piano and grandchildren that play the piano in addition to other instruments. She also set an exemplary example for future generations of ward organists/pianists to serve as she did.

Twila was born on February 9, 1917 in Thayne, Wyoming to Ethel Olive Davis and Joseph Humpherys. She is the 8th of 9 children. As she was growing up on the farm the family worked and played and sang together. She learned to play many instruments (violin, harmonica, comb & wax paper, and the piano as her favorite - she would listen to songs on the phonograph and then she would figure them out by ear. Through the years, she played in school and was often asked to play for church in the absence of a pianist. After finishing high school in Afton, Wyoming, she attended the University of Utah her freshman year before attending Arizona State Teacher's College for two years and received her teaching certificate. After which she returned to Star Valley, Wyoming and taught first through sixth grades in a one-room schoolhouse for four years.

In 1943 she came to Utah during the war and worked at the Defense Depot in Ogden from 1943 to 1953 and then at Hill Air Force Base for 1.5 years. While working in Ogden, she also occasionally played the piano/organ at the Berthana Ballroom and it was here that she met her husband, Orlin H. Baker as they danced, fell in love, married in the Logan temple (1952), and had four children together.

In 1957 she went to work for Bureau of Reclamation and then went on to working in the admitting office at both the Dee Memorial and McKay Dee Memorial Hospitals where she retired in 1978.

Twila had a great love for her heavenly father and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and visited the temple regularly. She served as ward organist for the Ogden 16th ward for as along as anyone can remember; in 1982-1985 she was instrumental in the completion of the history of the Ogden 16th Ward. Over the years she held many other positions: Organist for the Primary, Relief Society and MIA, Primary teacher, MIA teacher, Sunday school teacher, and Relief Society teacher for Homemaking and Mother Education. In 1995 she moved from her home in Ogden and was the first resident at Country Pines assisted living in Clinton, Utah. Two years later, she became a resident of Heritage Park in Roy, Utah, where she spent her final years.

Surviving are her sister, Lola Riggs (Salt Lake) and her children Glen Harold Baker (Clinton), Bonnie Baker (John) Slaughter (Preston, ID), Karen Baker (Kelley) of Roy, and daughter-in-law Nancy Nicholas Baker of Roy. She has 13 grandchildren (Anjie, Bryan, and Mandy Baker; Melanie (Nathan) Slater, Nathan (Cindy) Slaughter, Austin, Jordan and Preston Slaughter; Melissa Baker (Chris) Engelbrecht; Kristi and Trina Kelley, and Brittany Baker (Ryan) Gronwald. She has four great grandchildren with two more on the way (Nicole, Samantha Slater, Trevin Gronwald and Haley Slater. Twila was preceded in death by her husband, Orlin H. Baker in 1980; her son Gene H. Baker in 1983 and all but one of her bothers and sisters (Lillian, Harold, Violet (VanValkenberg), Willard, Arvilla (Parker), Donald, and Raymond).

Many thanks to Heritage Park and all the kind and thoughtful caregivers as they so lovingly cared for and looked after Twila over the years, each having a special place in their hearts for her.

Looking back on her 86 years, Twila lived a good life and touched the lives of so many with her gifts. She has served well and will be remembered and missed by many. And with her legacy of music, the music will continue to play in our minds and hearts just as a new music has been added to her repertoire and is playing for her now.
VisitationMyers Mortuary - Roy
5865 South 1900 West
Roy, UT 84067
February 25, 2003
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
ServiceMyers Mortuary of Roy
5865 South 1900 West
Roy, UT 84067
February 26, 2003
11:00 AM
CemeteryWashington Heights Memorial Park
4500 Washington Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84403
February 26, 2003