Mrs. Rachel Cooper Baker

Rachel Cooper Baker passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023. She was born on September 17, 1927 in Bynum, NC, the twelfth child of Grover and Verdona Cooper. Rachel moved to Apex after high school to attend Cosmetology School in Raleigh. While living in Apex, she met Wade Baker, her husband of 51 years. Because her true calling was to be a stay-at-home mother, her cosmetology career was short-lived. Being a mother was a position she took very seriously and she raised her family with love and devotion – she was the ultimate homemaker. While motherhood was an extremely important part of her life, most may have known her from being the seamstress at Apex Dry Cleaners, working with Wade until their retirement. Most anyone around at that time had her meticulously mend or alter a piece of clothing at least once. Her cooking also became famous to people outside of the family when she prepared her Chicken ‘n Dumplings for her son, Wade J, at Salem Street Soda Shop. Everyone made sure to get there early on Monday to get her dumplings and fried cornbread. Sometimes, it was homemade soup, but either one brought customers each week for the best in town. If you were late getting there, you more than likely missed out until the following Monday. Cooking was a passion and she enjoyed feeding her family and friends and it was pretty obvious they enjoyed eating it just as much. She was a true friend and had many friendships that spanned over 75 years. Her zest for life made her always willing to seek the next adventure, whether it was riding a camel, being baptized in the Jordan River, or just going down to Dallas to eat and talk with her Dallas Darlings. She was a member of Apex Baptist Church for 77 years, seeing changes along the way through 7 different preachers. Throughout it, her love for her church and church family never waned. Rachel was preceded in death by her husband, Wade, her daughter, Pamela Adkisson and her husband, Frank, and her grandson, Christopher Powell. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her 11 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Pat Helton (Carl), and her son, Wade J. Baker(Sharon); her grandchildren Cal Lawrence (Sandon), Jason Powell (Meghan), Tim Powell (Nina), Andrew Baker (Katie), and Rachel Simpson (Jeremy); step-grandchildren Teresa Wadford (Nyle), and Rick Helton (Andrea); her great-grandchildren Madi and Olivia Powell, Allie and Cooper Lawrence, Grant and James Powell, Laila, Wade, and Beau Simpson; step great-grandchildren Nikki Birkenstock (Chad), Chase Helton (Elise), Tara Wadford, and Braxton Wadford and many nieces and nephews too numerous to name.. She was lovingly cared for by 3 very special ladies who were her caregivers, Jackie Machado, Schola Kpoukema, and Patricia Regan. Funeral Services will be held at Apex Baptist Church, 110 S. Salem St., Apex, NC on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 with visitation from 1:00-3:00 pm. Service will begin at 3:00 pm with interment immediately following at Apex Cemetery. You are invited to return to the Fellowship Hall for light refreshments and to visit with the family. Anyone who is unable to go to the cemetery is welcome to go directly to the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service until the family returns. The Stream will start 5 minutes prior the actual start of the service (2:55). Rachel Baker Memorial Service Link. https://boxcast.tv/view/rachel-baker-pg65y2qlit1curwtpzcf Flowers or contribution to Apex Baptist Church Senior Ministry, 110 S. Salem St., Apex, NC 27502 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Mrs. Rachel Cooper Baker

September 17, 1927 - January 5, 2023