Irene Bailey Baker

Irene Bailey Baker (1901-1994) was an elected official and politician who served briefly in the U.S. House of Representatives following the death of her husband, Howard H. Baker Sr., in 1964. She is one of four people who called Scott County home at some point in their life to serve in Congress. In addition to her husband, the others were her stepson, Howard H. Baker Jr., and John J. Duncan Sr.

Early Life

Born Nov. 17, 1901 in Sevierville, Tenn., Irene Bailey was the daughter of Hagan Decatur Bailey (1873-1942) and Cassie Free (1881-1958). She had two siblings: Willie B. Bailey (1900-1901) and Mary Naomi Bailey (1894-1896).

Professional Life

Bailey served as deputy county court clerk in Sevier County from 1918 to 1922, and deputy clerk and master from 1922 to 1924. She later worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Family

Bailey married Howard H. Baker Sr. on Sept. 15, 1935. At the time, Baker was district attorney general for Tennessee’s 19th Judicial District, and a practicing attorney in Huntsville, Tenn.

The Bakers resided in Huntsville, where Irene helped raise Howard Baker’s children, Howard H. Baker Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Baker, from his previous marriage with Dora Ann Ladd. The couple later had another child, Beverly Irene.

Congress

On Jan. 7, 1964, Howard Baker died of a heart attack while shaving in the bathroom of his residence in Knoxville, Tenn. He was rushed to Fort Sanders Presbyterian Hospital, but was declared dead upon arrival.

Irene Baker finished out his term in Congress, but did not seek election to the seat later that year. She was succeeded by native Scott Countian John J. Duncan Sr.

Irene Baker was one of the Southern Republicans who voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

After leaving office, Baker was named Director of Public Welfare in Knoxville.

Death

Baker died in Loudon, Tenn. on April 2, 1994, at the age of 92. She was interred at Sherwood Memorial Gardens in Loudon.