Daphne Ann Holly-Baker

Daphne Ann "DD" Holly Baker

There are people who simply live, and there are those whose lives leave an everlasting imprint on the hearts of everyone they meet. Daphne Ann "DD" Holly Baker was one of those extraordinary people.

Affectionately known as "DD," she was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, treasured great-grandmother, beloved sister, proud aunt, faithful educator, legendary coach, mentor, community leader, loyal friend, and woman of unwavering faith. Throughout Strong, Union County, the State of Arkansas, and the AAU basketball community, DD became a name synonymous with love, strength, leadership, service, and compassion.

Born on October 28, 1963, to the late Legardie Holly and Annie Laurel Willis Holly, Daphne was raised with the values of faith, family, hard work, and kindness. Those values guided every aspect of her life and became the foundation of the legacy she leaves behind.

A proud graduate of Strong High School, Class of 1982, DD continued her education at Southern Arkansas University before earning her master's degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. She believed education could change lives, and she dedicated her own life to making sure children knew they mattered.

For more than 31 years, DD faithfully served the Strong School District, beginning as an aide and bus driver before becoming a respected educator and coach. She inspired generations of students through encouragement, discipline, and genuine love. To many, she wasn't just a teacher-she was someone who believed in them when they needed it most.

Basketball wasn't simply a game to DD-it was another way to love people. For more than 30 years, she devoted herself to coaching youth basketball and track. Through many years of AAU basketball, she mentored countless young athletes, teaching them that success was built on character, discipline, perseverance, and faith. The lessons she taught extended far beyond the final buzzer.

DD's love for serving others reached beyond the classroom and the basketball court. She proudly became the first Black woman elected to the Strong City Council, continuing her lifelong commitment to serving the community she loved so deeply. Above every role she ever held, her favorite role was loving her family, and she especially cherished family vacations.

She was welcomed into eternal rest by her loving parents and her brother, Lee Davis Holly.

She was the devoted wife of Freddie Baker, her partner in life and love. Together, they built a home centered on faith, family, respect, laughter, and unconditional love. Through every season of life, they stood side by side, raising their daughters and helping raise their grandchildren. Together, they attended school events, ballgames, church services, and family milestones, always making sure their loved ones knew they were supported and never alone.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved children, Amelia Baker, Holly Baker, and Wilpatrick Ford.

She was the proud grandmother of Derrion "Bubba" Davis, Dyinasty "Lou" Davis, Jay'Malyke "Jay" Taylor, Azaliah "Gal" Watson, and Branson Reed.

She was the loving great-grandmother of Kylo Davis and Karli Davis.

She is also survived by her beloved sister, Chandra Black, and her cherished nephews, Rickey Theman "Huk" Hicks (Charla) and Levell Holly, whom she loved dearly and who held a very special place in her heart.

She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, lifelong friends, former students, former athletes, and the countless people whose lives she touched throughout her remarkable journey.

Nothing brought DD greater joy than her family.

Her husband was her rock.

Her children were her heart.

Her grandchildren were her greatest joy.

Her sister was dearly loved.

Her nieces and nephews held a special place in her heart.

Her close cousins were treasured.

Family wasn't simply important to DD.

Family was everything.

If you knew DD, you knew she loved deeply and gave freely. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Whether she was praising you, correcting you, or encouraging you, it always came from a place of love. She believed in doing what was right, standing up for others, and giving her best in everything she did. DD never met a stranger. Whether you met her in the school hallway, on the basketball court, in church, at a city council meeting, or anywhere throughout Strong, chances are you knew exactly who she was.

She was respected.

She was admired.

She was loved.

Outside of serving others, DD enjoyed life's simple pleasures. She loved listening to the blues, playing cards, cheering on football and basketball, spending time with family, laughing with friends, visiting the casino, and creating memories that would last forever. Her smile and laughter had a way of making everyone around her feel at home.

Most importantly, DD loved the Lord. She faithfully served as a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and worshipped with her husband and family at Ebenezer while remaining devoted to her church family. Her faith was reflected in the compassion, grace, and generosity she extended to everyone she met.

This Was DD

She was the coach who believed in every child.

She was the teacher who encouraged every student.

She was the wife who loved her husband.

She was the mother who gave everything she had to her children.

She was the grandmother whose greatest joy was her grandchildren.

She was the great-grandmother whose love reached another generation.

She was the sister who loved fiercely.

She was the aunt who loved her nieces and nephews with all her heart.

She was the cousin who stayed connected.

She was the best friend whose loyalty never wavered.

She was the woman who loved the blues.

She was the woman who loved basketball.

She was the woman who loved football.

She was the woman who loved family gatherings.

She was the woman everyone knew.

She was the woman everyone respected.

She was the woman everyone loved.

To thousands, she was Coach Baker.

To students, she was Mrs. DD.

To athletes, she was Coach DD.

To Strong, she was a hometown treasure.

To Union County, she was a leader.

To Arkansas, she was an example.

But to those who loved her most...

She was simply...

DD.

Her legacy lives on in every student she inspired, every athlete she coached, every grandchild she hugged, every family member she loved, every friend she cherished, and every life she changed.

Her name will forever echo through the halls of Strong Schools, the gyms where she coached, the churches where she worshipped, the streets of Strong, the communities of Union County, and the hearts of everyone blessed to know her.

Well done, DD.

Your race is finished.

Your work is complete.

Your love lives on forever.