Theda Lake

Theda Marie Lake, age 101, of Gulfport, MS passed away Monday, November 28,2022.

Theda Marie Baynes Ainsworth Lake was born over a century ago in Barth, MS. She spent her first 19 years in Kiln, MS, where she was active in school, church, and the community at large. She played basketball for her school and loved to dance. Theda had the gift of hospitality. She loved to entertain and cook for everyone. No one ever left her house hungry. She excelled at the homemaking arts like decorating, sewing, crocheting, needlework, crafting, gardening, and especially cooking and baking.

Theda moved to Gulfport in 1940 to marry James Ainsworth and raised five children. She became a member of St. John Catholic Church. To support St. John’s school, she worked diligently through the PTO and did other charitable work. She played basketball for St. John’s women’s team in her active years.

After being widowed, Theda worked hard at numerous jobs to raise her 4 young children. However, when her children were older, she attended college at MGCCC to acquire the business skills that allowed her to obtain employment with the City of Gulfport. It was from there that she retired in 1988.

In 1952, Theda married Oliver Lake and became a military wife. This allowed her the opportunity to travel and live for short periods of time in Germany and France. She returned from France just in time to give birth to her final child.

Theda developed a desire to travel. In her retirement, she did travel extensively in the United States, did limited travel in other North American countries, and sailed on several cruises with her beloved husband, Jamie Forbes.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Jessie Baynes; her siblings, Benjamin Baynes, Garland Baynes, Essie Bourgeois, and Meryl Asher; and three husbands, James Ainsworth, Oliver Lake and Jamie Forbes.

She is survived by siblings, Estes Gatewood, and Buddy Faye; her children, Ruthie Ravis, Bobbie Ainsworth Scarborough, Jack Ainsworth, Charles Ainsworth, Larayn Ainsworth Guidroz, and Victoria Lake Legere; 17 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; and 29 great-great grandchildren.

A service, led by Father Uko, will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12290 Depew Road, Gulfport, MS 39503 on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 11:00 am, with visitation for friends from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Gulfport following the service.

It is difficult to adequately recount a life so beautifully lived through so many eras, the roaring twenties, the depression era, periods of war, man landing on the moon, and the loss of loved ones. She loved her Savior dearly and faithfully. She is one of the last from the greatest generation. Her impact on this earth will continue, even though she is no longer here. She will be missed more than words can describe.

Riemann Family Funeral Homes of Gulfport is assisting the family with arrangements.