Josephine Elizabeth (Luttrell) Baker, 90, of Springfield, Missouri, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 2, 2022. She was born January 22, 1932, in Montreal, Missouri, in a one room log cabin to Arlie Luttrell and Beulah (Barton) Luttrell. Jo graduated as valedictorian from Stoutland High School. Following graduation, she moved to Springfield to attend Draughon’s Business College and began working several different business jobs. Jo had a love for learning and education. Her dream was to graduate from college and teach children. After staying home to start a family, Jo realized her dream. Jo attended night classes at Drury College for 10 years while raising her children, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA in Elementary Education in 1978 She then began her dream job for Springfield Public Schools teaching kindergarten students to read and write. Teaching kindergarten was her passion. Jo returned to Drury and received her Master’s degree in Elementary Education in 1982. Her entire 30-year career was spent teaching kindergarten, mostly at Sunshine Elementary. On February 20, 1952, Jo married Donald Baker in Strafford, Missouri. To this union four children were born. As a child, Jo accepted Christ as her Savior. Church was always a central part of her life. She was a wonderful Christian wife and mother who taught her children about Jesus and God’s love. Jo was a long-time member of Second Baptist Church in Springfield. Jo lived in Indianapolis, San Antonio, and Paris, France when Don was in the Army, but returned to Springfield in 1956 where she lived the rest of her life. When she moved to Paris to join Don, in 1955, she traveled on a bus from Springfield to New York City and then crossed the ocean on a huge ocean liner all alone. When she was attending night school, she always made sure her family came first and all their needs were met. She would leave dinner ready on the stove before she left and begin her homework and studies after her children were in bed, sometimes studying into the early morning hours. After retiring, she enjoyed traveling with Don. Two of her favorite trips were Australia and Ireland. She loved playing Scrabble, reading, watching Fox News, Fritos, a McDonalds hamburger and french fries, chocolate, and coffee. Jo was an amazing mother. She wanted her children to have all the opportunities and experiences she was unable to have growing up poor during the Depression. Christmas and birthdays were celebrated in grand style. Education was important. She encouraged her children to be involved in activities and music lessons. She supported all their endeavors and never missed a musical performance or sports activity. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Jim, Chester (Windy), Bill, Donnie, Paul and sister Arlene. Jo is survived by her daughter Donna Hamilton (Tim), son Alan Baker (Susan), daughter Lori Dorey (Dave), and son Darren (Heidi); five grandchildren, Zachary Hamilton (Beth), Tyler Hamilton, Bailey Dorey, Jordan Baker, and Carson Baker; great granddaughter Eloise Hamilton; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank The Township Assisted Living and Memory Care staff for their love, care and kindness shown to Jo the last 2 ½ years and the staff of Intrepid Hospice, especially Theresa, Donna, and Brooke. A visitation will be held Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 12:00-1:00 pm followed by the funeral service at 1:00 pm at Greenlawn North Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home.