Nancy Jo Thames Baker Kelley, 74, of Vinton, Louisiana, passed away on November 11, 2018, at her daughter’s home in Vinton, surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 15, 2018, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Pastor Rick Watson of Welch Memorial United Methodist Church in Vinton. Burial will follow the service at Hooks Cemetery in Kountze, Texas.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Kountze, Texas, on July 2, 1944, she was the daughter of Autrey Joseph Martin and Jacque (Roberts) Harding. Nancy was a co-owner of B&B Auto Parts in Vinton from 1972-1990. She worked in Human Resources as well as Talent Development at Harrah’s/ Players Casino from 1993 to 2006 and as a Workforce and Talent Director for SWLA Economic Development Alliance until her retirement. She was instrumental in the implementation of Leader in Me, a multi-parish program in schools. She also served on various boards in the community and parish throughout the years, including being a member of the SWLA Chamber. Nancy was recently described as beautiful from the moment she was born. She was extremely talented and successful in everything she attempted. In school from first to twelfth grade she was “Miss Everything” and continued that in college at Lamar University. Nancy was an overachiever throughout her life and you never saw her when she wasn’t dressed to the nines with her makeup perfectly done. She had outstanding charm, wit, and energy and made an impact on so many lives. Everything in her life was centered around her family. Nancy’s children and grandchildren were her whole world and her greatest pride and joy. She always went above and beyond and loved unconditionally. She loved her family dearly and was a beautiful person inside and out who will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her biological father who was killed in WWII prior to her birth, Autrey Martin; mother, Jacque Harding; brother, Kenneth Thames; and her adoptive father, Carroll Thames.

She is survived by her children, Stacy Baker Brooks, of Vinton, Lainie Baker Trahan, of Vinton, Shelley Baker, of Vinton, and Whit Clay Baker, of Lake Charles; grandchildren, Logan Brooks and wife Kaline, Kelsi Brooks, Kolby Ketenbrink, Zachary Trosclair, and Kyle Ketenbrink; and her great-grandchildren, Raygan, Kaydan, Kooper, Rawsyn, and Kaizleigh.

Serving as pallbearers will be Logan Brooks, Kolby Ketenbrink, Zachary Trosclair, Kyle Ketenbrink, Kade Holden, and Kelly Ketenbrink.