JOAN JOHNSON BAKE
August 17, 1930 to August 22, 2025
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Joan's Obituary

Joan Elizabeth Johnson Bake was born (8/17/30-8/22/25) in Okemah, Oklahoma, to Winnie Ann Goad Johnson and Claude Ervin Johnson.



Her family moved to Oklahoma City, where she spent the rest of her childhood. She attended Harding Junior High School and graduated (early) from Classen High School. She attended OSU. Joan was an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, making many lifelong friends.

She left school early to marry William H. (Bill) Bake in June of 1951. Bill was a landman and they moved all over the United States, landing in Shreveport, LA where their first child, Betsy was born. Then on to Tulsa, OK; Durango, CO; and Bismarck, ND where their second daughter, Melissa was born. They then moved to Billings, MT where their son Billy was born. At this point with 3 children, she said – “Enough, time to go home!” In 1963 the family returned to OKC where they remained the rest of their lives.

Once Billy was in school, Joan went back to college at Central State University, (UCO.) She received a bachelor’s degree in Speech Therapy and her master’s in Learning Disabilities. She taught Special Education at Apollo Elementary and Wiley Post Elementary and became a school psychometrist and managed the Homebound Program for the Putnam City school district all while active in her church and social groups. Joan retired in 1991, and without a moment’s regret, she played golf, traveled and supported the OSU Cowboys with the love of her life, Bill. Among her many activities she served as Camp Fire Girls leader, president of the church women’s group, church guild and in her later years she enjoyed mahjong with her dear friends. Never one to sit still, she was always busy making the lives of those around her better. She was a devout Episcopalian and a member of St. John’s Episcopal church for over 60 years and very deeply committed to God and her faith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Bill, brother George and his wife Marie, along with her brothers and sisters-in-law Joe and Betty Bake, and Polly and Earle Liebhart.

She is survived by her three children, Betsy Brothers and husband Lance, Melissa Bake, Billy Bake and wife Benita. She also leaves behind four beloved granddaughters, Sarah Brothers May (Michael), Catie Brothers-Burton (Jeff), Allie Dorr, Wesley Dorr Anderson (Keith), two precious great-granddaughters Edie and Francie May, and many loving nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Mercy Hospice and Heather. Donations may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church or the Friends of Metro Library.

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 5401 N. Brookline, 10 am, Friday, Sept 5.