8/18/1931 – 1/1/2022 Jane H. (Highers) Baker, age 90, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and formerly of Sparta, Tennessee, passed peacefully at home on Saturday, January 1, 2022. Jane was the daughter of Stanford and Gertrude (James) Highers. She had an older sister, Joyce Ann (Warren) who preceded her in death. Jane was married to Lewis “Lew” M.G. Baker III on December 18, 1950, and he preceded her in death on July 31, 1989. Jane was the mother of Mel; Lisa of Kailua, Hawai’i; and Stan of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Jane was the grandmother of 4 and great-grandmother of 6. Born and raised in Sparta, Tennessee, Jane graduated from White County High School in 1949. After high school, she continued her education at Tennessee Tech where she met Lew in 1950. Upon graduation, they married and moved to Bristol, Virginia. Lew’s career took them to California where they started their family. In 1960, they moved to Ann Arbor with 3 children and settled in a home on Sunset Road. Jane worked at Ann Culmary’s Knit & Weave Store located in the loft of Goodyear’s Department Store in downtown Ann Arbor. In short succession, she moved on to Manager of the Cosmetic Department for Goodyear’s, then to Assistant Store Manager of the Briarwood Hudson’s Department Store, and eventually to Store Manager. Hudson’s is a predecessor store to the current Target Corporation. Jane was the first female Store Manager for the company. In 1980, Jane returned to Goodyear’s as Store Manager, then as Construction Renovation Manager after the building and store was sold. She reopened Goodyear’s in the renovated building shortly thereafter. During this time, she pivoted her skills to a new career in real estate working for Spear & Associates. She loved working in this capacity as it brought her retail, management, business, and renovation expertise together along with people. She loved people. Jane concluded her career in real estate at The Charles Reinhart Company, retiring in 2016. Even before retirement, Jane enjoyed traveling with her close companion, Dr. Robert Lovell. They visited many exotic locations, sailed on Queen Elizabeth 2, and flew on the Concorde jet. In addition to her career and family, Jane was actively engaged in community service. She hosted the March of Dimes live auction on WAAM radio station in the late 1960s and more recently joined the Ann Arbor Lions Club where she collected eyeglasses and could be seen in a hard hat and safety vest cleaning up Stadium Blvd. She was the first female to be elected President of the Lions Club. Jane was also very active in the Ridgewood Condo Association as President and self-appointed Party Planner, especially loving the Friday Afternoon Club (FAC) throughout the summer months. Throughout her life, Jane’s favorite hangout was Knight’s Restaurant on Dexter Ave. You could hear her laughter emanating from her favorite table every Tuesday night. Jane loved all things purple … and people … and parties. Always upbeat and ready to go (“once she put her lipstick on”), she was a force to be reckoned with. Her southern accent and hospitality will be missed. If so inclined, raise a toast of Jack Daniels in her honor and celebration of life boldly lived, joyously enjoyed, and thoroughly purple. The family would like to thank the family and staff at Knight’s Restaurant for the great love and care they showered on Jane all these many years. A special thanks also, to Beverly at Homewatch CareGivers for providing wonderful, loving care for Jane for the past 18 months. Memorial contributions can be made to the Ann Arbor Lions Club. A Celebration of Life party will take place in the springtime at a date and location to be announced. Please contact the family if interested in the details (jbaker648@gmail.com—her email account will remain active throughout 2022).
