Kayla Elizabeth Baker

Kayla Elizabeth Baker, 35, West Plains, Missouri, went home to be with the Lord May 13, 2024.   Please join us in celebrating the life of Kayla at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 17, 2024, at First Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Kayla deeply loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them.  At family gatherings, Kayla especially loved hearing and laughing at stories being told about her Grandpa Ken, her brother, Austin and the funny things that she did and said as a child.  She was looking forward to being an aunt to baby Camri Lynn Cook.  Kayla graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 2007 and attended one semester of college at MSU, West Plains.  She enjoyed attending community events, festivals, community theater and was a member of the Wonderfully Made class at First Baptist Church.  She lived in an ISL home for many years and had close, loving relationships with many of her past and current caregivers.  Those especially important to her were Danielle Bauchmann, Donna Hester and Lori Falwell.  The family will be forever grateful for their dedicated care and love for Kayla.  Kayla was a special young woman who was a gift to the world.  All who knew her were blessed by her sweet, spunky, sassy personality.  Her radiant smile could light up a room and her life brought great joy to her family and friends.  Kayla faced many challenges in her life and she met each with a strength and resiliency that is to be admired.  It has been an honor and a privilege to be Kayla’s family and we are all better people because of her.  Though there is an emptiness and a hole left in our hearts, we are full of her love and memories.  We know without a doubt that she is now healed, complete and truly living her best life in the presence of God. 

She is survived by her devoted mother, Kenya Cook, West Plains; grandmother, Kay Collins, West Plains; one brother, Austin Cook and wife, Bayli, Summersville, Missouri; aunt, Karla McDuffey and husband, Tim, Osage Beach, Missouri; uncle, Kenny Collins and wife, Shelly, West Plains; cousins, Taran Collins, Jamie Collins, Tyler MDuffey, Sara McDuffey, Emma Roberts, Sophie Roberts and Ryleigh Wilkerson; special family friend, Samantha Oaks; Uncle Ted and Aunt Vicky Deatherage; Samantha Kelly, Corey Warford, Jazlynn Deatherage; and a host of other aunts, uncles and cousins. 

Her grandparents, Kenneth Collins and Ace and Mary Jo Baker, and great-grandparents, Fuzz and Wilma Smith and Fred and Maxine Collins, preceded her in death.  

Visitation services will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Wonderfully Made Class at First Baptist Church and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.