Toni Rae Baker, Humble High School's beloved Physics teacher of 35 years, passed away November 21, 2023 from natural causes surrounded by her family and those who loved her dearly. Born April 11, 1941 in Menomonee, Wisconsin, to Fredrick Mensing and mother, Ruthe Faulkner, a popular radio personality of her day, but raised by her grandmother, Carrie Mitchell. Toni grew up playing piano and performed song and dance routines with her brother, Johnny. Her childhood was filled with influential educators, especially her physics teacher Mr. Picken's who fed Toni's fascination with Astronomy and an understanding of how the universe operates.

Toni dreamed of owning a horse. Those cowgirl aspirations came true in 8th grade when her mom followed a new husband to Texas. To Toni's surprise, Texans rode in cars not on horses. Undeterred, she worked in dance studios after school to save money to buy her first horse. Her favorite horse took her on trail rides and rodeos where she performed square dancing and acrobatics around Texas and Colorado.

Her mother's newest husband taught Toni to fly planes, which was his secret passion. This outlet to the sky allowed Toni to learn aerial maneuvers and fly across the country, much to her mother's surprise!

Toni attended the University of Houston where she graduated with honors in Physics and Math. She served as cheerleader, President of Delta Zeta Sorority and President of the Women's Student Association. During this time, she met William G. Baker who would lead Toni to motherhood, with the birth of their first child, Carri Lynn. Toni was able to start her teaching career in Spring Branch ISD; the beginning of what would become one of the defining talents in her life.

After giving birth to her second child, William Baker II, she supported her husband in his transfer to Lafayette, Louisiana. Upon returning to Houston she settled in Kingwood, Texas. She would then give birth to her third child, Danica Dawn. Shortly after, Toni began the solo journey of raising her children.

Once each of her children became school age, she would return to the classroom to shape the minds of students including 35 consecutive years of service at Humble High School. She loved selling tickets at all the local school sporting events throughout Humble ISD. She was a familiar face to so many and loved by her students. She made physics fun and her talent for changing lives saw no bounds.

One student, a foreign exchange student from Vietnam, Mai, was one of her greatest endeavors. After teaching Mai as a foreign exchange student, Toni opened up her home to allow Mai a chance at a greater life in America. For over seven years, Toni housed Mai's family, giving them a new life here in Texas. 'Dr.' Mai has since completed her Ph.D. in Physics at Cal Berkeley and strives for greatness.

After retiring from teaching, Toni continued to spend time lunching and catching up on favorite movies with her friends; all legendary teachers at Humble High School. She passed the time playing piano, knitting, crocheting and solving puzzles. She loved her dog, Lexi, and was a regular sight riding along the streets in Forest Cove on her prized tricycle, with Lexi in tow.

Toni lived a life of principle, hard work and self sacrifice. She was the ultimate giver and asked for nothing in return. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy, her family and the myriad of students who have taken her life lessons and paid them forward. She was preceded in death by her brother, Johnny Mensing, and mother, Ruthe Faulkner. She is survived by her daughter, Carri Coleman and husband, Brandon; son, William Baker II and wife, Belinda; daughter, Danica Johnston and husband, Jeff. She leaves behind six grandchildren, Luken Baker and wife, Linda, McKensie Wells, Carli John and husband, Tyler, Clair Baker, Cash Johnston and Sawyer Johnston. A celebration of life will be held January 12, 2024 11 a.m. at Christ Church Methodist, 6363 Research Forest Dr., Spring, Texas.

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Published by Observer Group from Dec. 27 to Dec. 28, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Toni Baker

18 Entries

Brenda Morris Heaton

January 12, 2024

Dear family of sweet Toni,
I planned to be there today to honor Toni´s memory but unforeseen circumstances prevented my attendance.
May your hearts be filled with our Lord´s Holy Spirit´s comfort as you experience the grief of her loss to Paradise in these inevitable `valley´ days of our lives.
Remember, Her love still lives in Eternity´s time and one day that glorious gathering will reunite her to you.
Blessings and prayers in our DZ sister love,
Brenda

Beth Brown

January 12, 2024

I send condolences to this beautiful family for the loss of Toni. She must have been remarkable; I wish I had known her. But in a way, I might have. She obviously passed on so many caring, giving, adventurous, athletic, musical, energetic, and personality traits to her kids and grand kids. Danica has been my dance "mama" for over a decade...funny since I am decades older. I used to get up early to see her smile and get in a fun, exceptional workout. I see the same smile in Toni's picture. Love to your family and may her love of life legacy live on.

ronald burns

Planted Trees

Barbara J Eversberg

January 11, 2024

My heart goes out to all the loved ones, but especially to Danica Johnston, my Sh´Bam teacher. I expect your mom was as wonderful, enthusiastic, supportive and energetic as you. May the Lord comfort you and all who loved her at this time of loss and may beautiful and joyful memories be in your hearts and minds.

Mai Truong

Planted Trees

John Graham Family

Planted Trees

Sonja Isham Mitchell

January 7, 2024

When I saw Toni's obituary, many wonderful memories came to mind. We were both in DZ; both blond, both dance teachers, both UH grads, etc. She was such fun to be with and an outstanding scholar. I know her family has many great memories and I send my love and regards to them.
Sonja Isham Mitchell

Sending her family love

Brenda Morris Heaton

January 6, 2024

DZ love and prayers to Toni´s family. She was one of my fav DZ sisters. Many fond memories. She was so sweet

Jan Holland

January 6, 2024

Toni Baker taught at Spring Branch HS in 1968. I posted her obituary on our class Facebook page. Many of her students have posted kind and meaningful memories of her. I was a student in her physics class for one day and dropped the course, not because of her but because I was the only girl in the small class with the smartest boys. I didn't want to work that hard my senior year. After reading all the wonderful things that were written about her, I deeply regret that decision. Please go to the Spring Branch High Class of
`68 Facebook page and can grant you access if you send me an email to identify yourself. So sorry for your loss, but be comforted by the lasting ways she touched the lives of her students.

Kay Kotch Cupelli

January 6, 2024

Carrie... so sorry to hear of your mom´s passing but you are blessed to be her MiniMe. Eternal rest be granted to her with God´s perpetual light shining on her. Comfort for you and your siblings families.

Connie Hanson Taylor

January 2, 2024

My son and I both were her students; SBHS and HUMBLE HS. I so loved her. She was a woman ahead of her time. She had self-confidence that was lacking in so many young women of her era. She was a force to be reckoned with. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

David Reynolds

January 2, 2024

I was in the Ms. Baker's Geometry class the first year she taught school at Spring Branch High. Needless, first impressions were Wow, what a beautiful lady we were lucky to have as our teacher. She was so full of life and had the biggest smile that greeted us every day in class. I remember Bruce McKnight sat next to me and yikes, I feel certain she felt tested as to her decision to becoming a teacher there. The fun was, despite her wanting to show her ability to be in charge, when many funny comments came from that area of the class-she couldn't help but laugh! I think every boy in class thought how did we ever get so lucky as to have this "Pretty Woman" with such a personality as one of our last memories of dear old SBHS. Seriously, she was a teacher that made you want to do your best and I learned much from her as she had my attention at all times. I can't say enough about her ability to let us know she cared about each of us and wanted to be sure we learned something about a subject she very much liked teaching. As the years passed, I had the privilege of calling her to invite her to a couple of our SBHS reunions. Unfortunately, she was never able to make it but I will never forget reminiscing with her about those good ole days and my time in her class. She had a special way of making you feel you were important, as her student and later as a friend. My last memory of her was disappointing as I happened to notice by a login one day at work that she had been at our office, and not knowing I had missed seeing her. It was my loss just like reading the paper and seeing her name this past weekend triggered much sadness for a special person now gone. I only hope she realized how much that time as her student meant to all of us. I am certain Heaven is a better place for her being there! Thank you Ms. Baker for a life well lived.

Mary Fitzgerald

December 30, 2023

My life was blessed by knowing Toni. She was a force of nature who loved God, her children, her grandchildren and her many dogs. I spent many wonderful years as her friend and colleague. She enjoyed teaching and inspiring her students. She will be missed by all who really knew her. May God keep her close to Him.

Emily Willcox Tidey

December 29, 2023

I absolutely loved reading this obituary. I have always thought Ms. Baker to be a kind, strong woman. There is so much I didn´t know. She is an amazing soul.

To my surprise, we recently became diagonal neighbors. She remembered me straight away. She always greeted me with a smile. I hope to make half the impact on this world that she had.

I know this time is tough for your families. May you have peace and love in sharing your memories!

Suzanne Stoltz

December 28, 2023

Toni was a wonderful person and a fabulous teacher.

Cynthia Hendrickson

December 28, 2023

Dear Toni, I am so sorry to hear of your passing. You were a force of nature and I will miss you.

Babett Schneider-Cevirgen

December 28, 2023

A beautiful picture of Toni and a wonderful reflection of her life and what she meant to others. I learned so much from her and will always treasure the times when I was teaching in the room tucked between Toni, Shannon Evans, Louis Mascolo and Jill Spross. The best colleagues and friends one could ever have! I still hear her laughter and remember her generosity. What wonderful Christmas parties she hosted and how she shared her passion for music and Science. She (and many others) inspired me to become an American citizen - and to genuinely care for others and this great nation.
I will always keep Toni in my heart.