Susan Baker

Susan Manfrey Long Baker, formerly of Westerville, Ohio, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2026.

Born May 29, 1947, in Atlanta, Georgia, Susan spent the first three months of her life in an incubator after arriving prematurely, an early sign of the resilience and determination that would characterize her life.

As a young woman, Susan embraced every opportunity to learn and serve. She was active in music, drama, her church youth group, and community service, and spent many summers as a camper and counselor at Camp Glisson in Dahlonega, Georgia, and at Lake Junaluska in North Carolina. Her Christian faith remained central throughout her life, and she was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church.

She attended Druid Hills High School, earning early admission to Oxford College of Emory University before continuing her studies at the Sorbonne in Paris. She graduated from LaGrange College in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in French, where she served as president of Alpha Mu Gamma and was a member of the Choraliers. She later pursued graduate studies in early childhood education at Georgia State University and The Ohio State University.

Susan taught high school French before dedicating herself to raising her family. She later returned to the classroom as a kindergarten teacher, a career she enjoyed until her retirement.

While serving as attendants in the wedding of mutual friends, Susan met Robert "Bob" Shannon Baker, Jr. They were married on July 19, 1969, beginning a partnership that would span fifty years.

Following their marriage, Bob's four-decade career in business management and leadership took Susan and their family from Atlanta to central Florida, the Lowcountry of South Carolina, New Orleans, and finally to Columbus, Ohio, where they spent their later years together. Throughout those moves, Susan created welcoming homes and lasting friendships in every community. She was Bob's constant partner, entertaining colleagues, clients, friends, and family with warmth and generosity. Whether hosting holidays, celebrations, or an impromptu gathering, she had a gift for making everyone feel at home. She was especially known for her cheese cookies, baking them by the hundreds and delivering them to friends, family, and neighbors throughout the year.

Her greatest joy, however, was her family. She rarely missed an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren.

Susan is survived by her son, Robert "Robbie" Shannon Baker III (Dr. Cindy) of Columbus, Ohio; her daughters, Irene "Renie" Baker VanderEls (Chase) of Decatur, Georgia, and Livanne "Lannie" Baker O'Brien (Mark) of Westerville, Ohio; her five granddaughters, Emma Moore Baker, Zola Meriel VanderEls, Lyla Elizabeth O'Brien, Eleanor Estlin VanderEls, and Olivia Irene O'Brien; her brother, Dr. James Theodore Long (Darlene) of Los Angeles, California, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Shannon Baker, Jr.; her parents, the Reverend Dr. Nathaniel Guy Long and Olive Wills Long; her sister, the Reverend Olive Long Kellum; and her brother, the Reverend Dr. Nathaniel Harrison Long.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, August 7, at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Messiah United Methodist Church, 51 N. State Street, Westerville, Ohio, and on Sunday, August 16, at 1:00 p.m. at Moore Chapel at Legacy Park, 442 S. Columbia Drive, Decatur, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Messiah United Methodist Church, 51 N. State Street, Westerville, Ohio 43081 (messiahumc.net), in honor of Susan's lifelong faith and commitment to her church.