July 6, 2025, 89, Goldsboro —-
Barbara Anne Baker Wright passed away after a sudden, brief illness, on July 6, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Barbara was born in 1936 in Lucama NC, the daughter of Mamie (Whitley) Baker and Johnnie Cleveland Baker, and sister to Roy Lee, Loyce, J.C. and Judie Baker. After graduating Lucama High School with the Class of ’53, she moved to Savannah, Georgia, and resided in the Savannah area until returning home to the Tarheel State in 2012, to live in Goldsboro.
The Necessary Stuff:
Barbara was affiliated with the legal profession in Savannah her entire working life, beginning in 1956, as a legal secretary for Luhr G. C. Beckman, Jr., and then, in 1969, as a Court Reporter working for William (Bill) DeLoach, in the Chatham County Courts system. Barbara thrived in her career, receiving numerous certifications and accolades during her nearly 60 years in the legal profession. Some highlights: She received Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) certification, the first in Savannah; she was the second Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) in Savannah; and was the very first person in the state of Georgia to pass both examinations.
Barbara was saved in 1983 while a member of Coastal Carolina Church of God, and sang in the Cathedral Choir for more than 20 years. She was subsequently a member of Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church, where she served as an Elder and Clerk of Session and then, in Goldsboro, Barbara was a member of Casey’s Chapel OFWB Church and a Church Clerk. She was a fervent supporter of Israel, visiting the Holy Land on three separate occasions.
Barbara’s husband, Olin C. Wright, passed on in 2013. She is survived by her beloved sister, Judie (nee Baker) Hockman; Judie’s daughters, Kim and Lori; her only child, son, Mike Baker and his charming, beautiful wife, Terry; and many dear nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Fun Stuff:
Barbara was a radiant personality who loved fun and, if the situation were humorous enough, it wasn’t uncommon whatsoever to hear her snort with great, good laughter. Her work ethic was unmatched. She pursued excellence in everything she did, and found her calling in the legal profession. Personable, convivial, focused, ever-hungry for knowledge and something of a perfectionist, Barbara was a familiar face to many Savannah attorneys, judges and fellow legal secretaries, trusted for her knowledge, savvy, integrity and accuracy.
A couple career highlights: Barbara was featured in a segment of Court TV while working as a court reporter; and was also the court reporter of record for the trials of a defendant famously written about in the book, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Typing at 150 mistake-free words per minute, backing up recorded trial testimony in the language and esoteric characters of shorthand, and able to produce 100 pages (or more) of trial transcripts day after day, Barbara excelled. Barbara was an Achiever!
However, Family was everything to Barbara, and she was especially devoted to her son, Mike—unless his behavior warranted a rebuke, inevitably preceeded with a stern, “Dennis Michael Baker!” She raised him as a single parent, but was ably, indefatigably, lovingly assisted by sister Judie, and mother Mamie. Mike received abundant, encouraging, unconditional, pure, supportive love from these three selfless ladies, and never wanted for a father figure.
Barbara was an outstanding bowler, playing in numerous leagues during the 1960s. She always viewed bowling as an athletic sport, even though it’s the only well-known sport where drinking beer is de riguer. Barbara passed along love of the sport to her son (sans beer-drinking) and he learned to appreciate the focus, comradery and fun of bowling at the age of 15.
Barbara was versatile and never tired of being companion to her son, be it playing catch (baseball and football), encouraging his love of music (drums—drums!—and, later, guitar) and helping with school homework (except trigonometry and calculus). In one of her most profoundly generous acts, she gave written permission for him to fledge the nest and join the US Air Force upon high school graduation in 1971, where Mike served for 30 years.
Barbara could have opened her own home-cooked food diner, what with her talent for making such culinary favorites such as sweet tea, crispy fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, fried pork chips, banana pudding and, perhaps, most notably, fluffy, made-from-scratch biscuits. She loved doing the Carolina Shag, listening to country music (favorites: Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline), fluffy Wilson NC cream puffs, a well-prepared steak, travel and was devoted to companion animals spanning many decades: notably, Missy, Flossy, Friskie and the loving, gentle, companion kitty of her later years, Grayson.
Barbara lived well and worked hard her entire life. The infirmities of age and time no longer weigh her down. Mom richly deserves her wings and leaves an indelible legacy of love and laughter. My mother was pure love to me.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to (and rescue) a pet from your local animal shelter.
A service to celebrate Barbara’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025 at Seymour Funeral Home. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be private at the Stantonsburg Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
