Linda Joyce Finney Baker

We are saddened by the passing of Linda Joyce Finney Baker, age 72, on March 31, 2025, at her family home in Lynchburg, TN. Joyce, born October 12, 1952, was the daughter of Crawford and Erma Kellogg Finney. A graduate of Moore County High School in 1970, she was Class Secretary and Vice President of Beta Club. Joyce went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business and an MBA from Middle Tennessee State University.

Joyce married Robert (Bob) Theodore Baker on July 2, 1986, in Coffee County Tennessee. The couple loved to travel and made several cross-country trips in their RV to many destinations including visits to relatives in Washington state. Bob and Joyce were happily married for 36 years until Bob’s passing on September 25, 2022.

While working for Jacobs-Sverdrup, Joyce was a dedicated member of the Human Resources team serving in management roles from 1987 to 2018. She oversaw multiple projects and retirement programs throughout her career. Notably, Joyce worked with the Business Development Team where she utilized her proposal and contract phase-in expertise to help develop total compensation plans for NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility project in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Joyce especially loved gardening, canning, lounging by the pool with family, and walking her “boys”, the dogs Buddy and Wookie. She served her community as a member of the Baptist church and an active leader in the Moore County Democratic Party. She and Bob spent the last few years together at their home in Foley, Alabama.

Joyce is lovingly remembered by her son, Robert Theodore Baker Jr. and his wife Debbie Baker (grandchildren; Meghan, Ben, and Sophie); her daughter, Sharon Marie Ruhlander and her husband Fritz Ruhlander (grandchildren; Andrew Ruhlander (Jennifer), Jenna Young (Joey), Allie, Ruthie, Gretchen, and Vincent); and 7 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on April 26th from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Joyce’s family home: 474 Finney Road, Lynchburg, Tennessee. All are welcome. Please join in cherishing her memory.

Memorial donations may be directed to Joyce’s favorite charities, Lynchburg Friends of Animals or Cancer Care Co-Payment Assistance Foundation.

Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.

Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is assisting the family