Wanda Baker Paffie

Wanda Baker Paffie — also known as “Wanda Sue” or “Suzie” — was born on September 2, 1945, in Crockett, Texas, to Elvin and Estelle Baker. The youngest of two children, she was born five years after her older brother, Vin. Wanda grew up in a home filled with love, laughter, and the comfort of her mother’s home-cooked meals. Her childhood was shaped by friendships that stayed with her throughout her life.

At 12 years old, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at Piney Woods Baptist Encampment. Her relationship with Jesus was well known by all who encountered her.

After graduating from Grapeland High School in 1963, she moved to Houston, Texas, where she attended the Ben Shaw School of Modeling and worked for Southwestern Bell. While living in Houston, she met Ronnie Paffie, whom she later married in 1966.

Ronnie and Wanda welcomed their firstborn, Domina Marie Paffie — named in honor of Wanda’s best friend, Marie — in Little Genesee, New York, in 1967. In 1970, they celebrated the birth of their son, Joseph Elvin Paffie — named after Wanda’s father, Elvin — in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Wanda cherished her role as a mother to Domina and Joey. She often took Domina and Joey to Galveston, where their weekends were spent playing in the waves and soaking up the sun with their family and friends. Other spare time as a family was spent in Wanda’s parents’ home in Grapeland, Texas, where some of her fondest memories were held.

Wanda loved her family, making memories with her children, laughing with her friends, blessing her grandchildren, and proclaiming the name of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was known by her adornment of praise and worship music, making homemade spaghetti sauce, Tex-Mex restaurants, playing checkers with her grandchildren, and giving stray dogs a home.

Wanda married Ron Raschke on October 10, 2009, in Conroe, Texas, surrounded by their family and friends. Their wedding day was marked by joy, laughter, and Wanda’s grandchildren dancing the night away. Their wedding day ended with a carriage ride into the sunset, as their seven grandchildren piled in to join them.

She leaves behind her husband, Ron; children, Domina and husband Lawrence, Joey and wife Nancy; grandchildren, Sullivan and husband Ben, Kennedy and husband Brady, Baker and wife Raylee, Brady, Sydney, Sammi, and Sadie; great grandchild, Eli; brother, Vin; and a host of extended family and friends whom she loved dearly.

Her legacy will live on through her children and grandchildren, all of whom know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, largely due to her continual prayers and teaching of the Word of God.

Wanda is remembered for her wit, charm, generosity, patience, and joy. Now, she is dancing with her Lord and Savior, as she will be for all eternity.

Family & Friends Fellowship

Friday, December 5, 2025

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

First Baptist Church

(Foyer of Family Life Center)

Service

Saturday, December 6, 2025

2:00 pm

First Baptist Church

Interment

Parker Cemetery

Grapeland, TX