W.T. Shumake & Daughters

September 6, 1950 - April 1, 2023

Robert Murray Baker, III , age 72 of Louisville, Kentucky slept into the presence of the Lord on Saturday, April 1, 2023 after less than 4 days at Baptist Hospital.


A memorial to celebrate his life was held on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at Taylortown A.M.E. Zion Church 10901 Ballardsville Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40241. Fellowship with the family begann at 12:00 noon. Worship began at 1:00 pm.


Time is filled with swift transitions. He was a native of Denver, Colorado who attended Lake Forest College where he met his future wife, Loretta Faye Rosborough. After graduation, they married and lived in 3 cities of Lake County, Illinois.


He left the Dexter Midland Corporation in 1983 to accept a position with the Celanese Corporation. Bob, Loretta, Djenaba, and Nzinga moved from North Chicago, Illinois to Louisville, Kentucky in 1984. Their girls are graduates of Wilder Elementary, Kammerer Middle School, and Ballard High School.

When Celanese was sold, Bob lived in New York and worked for D/L Laboratories for nearly 2 years. He returned to Louisville after accepting a promotion to Technical Services Manager with his former employer, Dexter Midland Corporation. He commuted regularly to Waukegan, Illinois for nearly 10 years until Dexter was sold and he chose to stay in Louisville rather than move.


He started in customer sales for AT&T in 2002 and moved to customer repair where he worked until retirement after 15 years of service.

Upon his return from New York, he became a faithful member of Kenwood Northeast Baptist Church before joining Canaan Missionary Baptist Church. He was a member of First Gethsemane Baptist Church (1st G) under the pastorate of Dr. T. Vaughn Walker where he served in the Media Ministry. He was attending church at Taylortown A.M.E. Zion regular enough to become responsible for video taping their worship each Sunday on Facebook Live.

He supported his wife in everything - especially in her music, teaching, and preaching ministries. He made sure she had what she needed. He was her computer guru. He made sure her doctoral project conformed to the required format guidelines. He gave instructions for placing the artwork in her first book which went to print while he was in the hospital.


He was committed to being the best father any daughters could have. His love had no limits. They could count on him to be there for them – in body or spirit. Group texting was their friend and it allowed the family to stay in constant contact. There was still no substitute for their long phone conversations. He set high standards for them and they made him proud.


Speaking of proud, he was over the moon and out of sight, crazy proud of our grandson, Thaddeus. He watched Thad play basketball in person or by video as much as possible. He was with Thad in January for high school senior day and watched him play an outstanding and high scoring basketball game. His last communication to Thad was a video to congratulate him on college signing day that happened a few days ago.


He was preceded in death by his father: Robert Murray Baker, II; his mother: Mary Thomas Baker; and 2 brothers: Richard Baker and Scott Baker.

He will be missed by his wife of 51 years, Loretta; 2 daughters: Djenaba Anika Baker Burns (Tracy) and Nzinga Dayanna Baker Bryant (Andre); 1 grandson: Thaddeus Jelani Baker Burns; 2 brothers: Gary Baker (Marcella) and Kevin Baker (JoAnne); nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and other family. He stayed in touch with Mrs. Joanne Hooker and Mrs. Mary Langley who were his mother’s special friends.


He loved people and he was easy to talk to. He had a contagious laugh and a warm smile. He was gentle, kind, and patient. He was funny, smart, well-read, organized, detailed, persistent, dependable, thoughtful, faithful, and so much more. Precious memories will be our comfort until we meet again.