Obituary

Wynoah “Wendy” Baker was born on July 4, 1945, in Tucson, Arizona to the union of Chester Willis Sr. and Lucille Willis. Her parents preceded her in death.

Wynoah graduated high school from Tucson High School in 1962 and became the first black waitress at Walgreen’s in Tucson Arizona. Wynoah was also a deputy sheriff in Pima County before moving to Los Angeles, California.

Wynoah came to Los Angeles, California at the age of 22 with her then husband who preceded her in death and her daughter Trisha Arlynne. Wynoah graduated from Cal State Los Angeles with a bachelor’s degree in 1971. She also received her master’s degree from Cal State Fullerton in 1978.

Wynoah worked for Cal State Fullerton and Saddleback college as Financial Aid Director and Assistant Dean of Students for over 35 years. Wynoah is past president of the California Community Colleges Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Association (CCCSFAAA) and a member of California Association of Student Financial Aid Association (CASFAA). She was instrumental in organizing a nationwide boycott of Arizona’s tourist attractions i.e. resorts and golf courses, until the state of Arizona passage of MLK holiday.

Wynoah leaves the following loved ones to cherish her memories: her daughter Trisha Jackson Miles; two grandsons Dexter “DJ” and Jackson Miles; two granddaughters, Aeryka Miles and Addalee Parker all of Mission Viejo, California; two sisters Dolores Townsend of Tucson Arizona and Paula Freightman of Phoenix Arizona. One brother who preceded her in passing, Chester Willis Jr.; 5 nephews, Patrick Wayne Willis, Lamonte Willis, Marc Townsend, Jaysun Freightman and Carl Willis. 5 nieces, Cyntha Muhammed, Cylisha Willis, Kathy Walters, Aundrea Maldonado and Clarissa Lucille; 5 great-nephews and 4 great-nieces, 1 grand-niece and host of other relatives and an enormous amount of friends. The Love of her life Dennis Baker also preceded her in passing.