Alice LouAnn Baker Sipe, 71, passed away peacefully at the Gordon Hospice House on Friday, January 24, 2025, with family lovingly by her side. Her memory is being honored by her children, Laura (Evan) Karriker and Nicholas (Nikki) Sipe; grandchildren, Logan Adams, Micah and Damon Spearman, and Hunter, Jacob and Colton Sipe; sister, Anita Baker; and sister, Tammy Richardson; along with special nieces, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ferne Fulbright Baker and Norman Olin Baker; and brother Marvin Earl Baker.
Born December 9, 1953, LouAnn spent her formative years in rural Hickory, N.C., with her three siblings, plus numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends close by. She was baptized and raised at Sardis Lutheran and would remain faithful in the Lutheran church throughout her life. After graduating Fred T Foard High School, LouAnn attended Appalachian State University, where she met her former husband Eddy. In 1978, she obtained a degree in primary education from Catawba College and went on to share her love of reading as a teacher. For the next 27 years, she taught in the Iredell-Statesville Schools District, primarily at Scotts Elementary.
LouAnn was most comfortable at home with her nose in the pages of a beautiful romance, suspenseful adventure, or compelling thriller. She was rarely seen without a book in close proximity! Of course she did her best to pass on this love of literature to her children, Laura and Nicholas, resulting in a 50 percent success rate. Eventually, six grandsons brought more reasons to buy books, but her favorite title of all was Granny. The boys were her pride and joy; Logan, Hunter, Micah, Jacob, Damon and Colton could always put a smile on her face.
She was kind and compassionate, stubborn to a fault, and will be remembered well for her quiet strength and warm hugs. We are confident she is with Jesus and has been reunited with her parents and brother, pain free with all of her best memories restored!
“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my Mommy you’ll be” – Robert Munsch
The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation for the Hospice in-home care team and their end-of-life services at the Gordon Hospice House.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Troutman Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Rev. Jason Fox. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12 noon until 1 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville NC 28625 or to the Iredell County Library, 201 N. Tradd Street, Statesville, NC 28677.
Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.