Obituary for Peter Baker
Mr. Peter J. Baker was born March 19, 1936 and raised in Kingsland, Camden County, Georgia to the late, Tannah F. Morris Baker and Robert Baker, Sr. He was married to the love of his life, Mrs. Marian A. Lewis Baker, who has supported him in all of his endeavors.
Mr. Baker attended Kingsland (Kinlaw) Rosenwald Elementary School (Grades 1-7), Camden County Training School (Grades 8-9), and Ralph Johnson Bunche High School (Grades 10-12). He graduated June 3, 1954 from Ralph J. Bunche High School as Class Salutatorian. Mr. Baker was the first student to bring Region and State Honors to Ralph J. Bunche High School in 1953-1954, and earned several Academic, Athletic and Arts awards and honors.
Mr. Baker continued his education at Savannah State College (now University) where he earned a Baccalaureate dual degree in Business Education and Business Administration. He was the first student to bring National Honors to Savanah State College in the Area of Journalism by receiving an American Press Association Award as Editor of Best College Newspaper. Between the years of 1959-1972, Mr. Baker attended different Colleges, Universities and held various positions as teachers, assistant comptroller and served two years in the United States Army before returning to Camden County. He earned numerous honors and awards from 1955 through 1991.
In 1968, Mr. Peter J. Baker was the first Camden Native, to become principal of an all-black school, Ralph Johnson Bunche High School in Woodbine, Georgia. In 1971, Mr. Baker survived the transition of integration by becoming the Principal of the newly integrated school, Camden County High School, St. Marys, Georgia, the only high school in the county. He was one of only three Black Principals of a high school outside of a metropolitan area in Georgia, and one of only seven high school principals of color in the State. He served as principal of Camden County High School for 14 years.
In 1982, Mr. Baker accepted the appointment as Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Camden County School System. His position was later renamed Associate Superintendent. He retired in 1994.
Mr. Baker is a member of the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, Kingsland, Georgia and has served on the Board of Deacons, Musician for Sunday School, Member Orientation Committee Chairman and is currently an Evangelist. In 1990, he developed, published and implemented the Member Orientation Program, with an accompanying Bible Study Guide.
Through the years, Mr. Baker has served this community and surrounding counties in a number of areas including:
* Official Member of Selective Services Local Draft Board #20 and the State Advisory Board.
* Integrating Camden County School Committee Chairman.
* Aera Advisory Council for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Substance Abuse, Six County Area (Bryan, Camden, Glynn,
McIntosh, Liberty, Long Counties) Chairman.
* Alumni Associations of
* Ralph J. Bunche High/Camden County Training Schools, Woodbine, GA;
* Savannah State College, Savannah, GA;
* University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
* Member of:
* Georgia and Camden County Retired Educators Association.
* Georgia and National Education Association.
* Georgia and National Association of School Administrators.
* National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
* Association for Supervisors and Curriculum Directors;
* The Georgia Committee, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;
* The Elementary Commission of the Georgia Committee,
* Citizen Representative - Kings Bay Impact Coordinating Committee,
* Camden County, Consutant-Georgia Leadership Academy,
* Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated,
* Pioneer Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Kingsland, GA;
* John Wesley Dobbs Consistory No. 302,
* Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Masonry, Prince Hal Affiliation, Folkston, GA;
* Phi Delta Kappa National Honor Fraternity Incorporated, The University of Iowa.
Mr. Peter Baker, a lifelong educator, has inspired many students and adults to take on ambitious challenges in order to make great efforts to maintain an image of professionalism and to always strive for excellence by going that extra mile to achieve success. He has toiled with untiring devotion to Educational Services, Church Ministries and Civic obligations.
Sorrowfully, Peter passed away on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at Baptist Community Hospice in Jacksonville, Florida. He was preceded in death by both parents, Tannah F. Morris Baker and Robert Baker, Sr., his siblings, Virginia Baker Gregory, Maxine Baker Creighton, Ellen Baker Waye, Vivian Baker Walker, Thomas Baker, Roy Lee Baker and Robert Baker, Jr.
Those left to cherish his memories: his loving wife, Marian A. Lewis Baker; his siblings, Mayme (Robert) Jeffries, Houston, TX, Sylvania Dawson, Jacksonville, FL, Florena (James) Baker, Atlanta, GA, Amos Baker, Kingsland, GA, Pearl (Joseph) Coleman, Daytona, FL and Andrea (Vernardo) Baker, Kingsland, GA; as well as, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and acquaintances, who will miss him dearly.
A walk thru viewing will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., at Allison Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 10141 Colerain Rd., St. Marys, GA.
A private burial for immediate family members will be held on Friday, June 4, 2021 @ 9:00 a.m. in the Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Marys, GA. This is a request that was made by the family. We here at Royal Funeral Home ask that you kindly respect the family's wishes and request. Your cooperation in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Everyone planning to attend the viewing or the private burial are asked to please wear your masks and adhere to the social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread and infecting of anyone in attendance.
Per the family, in lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Peter J. Baker Scholarship Funds.
Mr. Baker attended Kingsland (Kinlaw) Rosenwald Elementary School (Grades 1-7), Camden County Training School (Grades 8-9), and Ralph Johnson Bunche High School (Grades 10-12). He graduated June 3, 1954 from Ralph J. Bunche High School as Class Salutatorian. Mr. Baker was the first student to bring Region and State Honors to Ralph J. Bunche High School in 1953-1954, and earned several Academic, Athletic and Arts awards and honors.
Mr. Baker continued his education at Savannah State College (now University) where he earned a Baccalaureate dual degree in Business Education and Business Administration. He was the first student to bring National Honors to Savanah State College in the Area of Journalism by receiving an American Press Association Award as Editor of Best College Newspaper. Between the years of 1959-1972, Mr. Baker attended different Colleges, Universities and held various positions as teachers, assistant comptroller and served two years in the United States Army before returning to Camden County. He earned numerous honors and awards from 1955 through 1991.
In 1968, Mr. Peter J. Baker was the first Camden Native, to become principal of an all-black school, Ralph Johnson Bunche High School in Woodbine, Georgia. In 1971, Mr. Baker survived the transition of integration by becoming the Principal of the newly integrated school, Camden County High School, St. Marys, Georgia, the only high school in the county. He was one of only three Black Principals of a high school outside of a metropolitan area in Georgia, and one of only seven high school principals of color in the State. He served as principal of Camden County High School for 14 years.
In 1982, Mr. Baker accepted the appointment as Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Camden County School System. His position was later renamed Associate Superintendent. He retired in 1994.
Mr. Baker is a member of the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, Kingsland, Georgia and has served on the Board of Deacons, Musician for Sunday School, Member Orientation Committee Chairman and is currently an Evangelist. In 1990, he developed, published and implemented the Member Orientation Program, with an accompanying Bible Study Guide.
Through the years, Mr. Baker has served this community and surrounding counties in a number of areas including:
* Official Member of Selective Services Local Draft Board #20 and the State Advisory Board.
* Integrating Camden County School Committee Chairman.
* Aera Advisory Council for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Substance Abuse, Six County Area (Bryan, Camden, Glynn,
McIntosh, Liberty, Long Counties) Chairman.
* Alumni Associations of
* Ralph J. Bunche High/Camden County Training Schools, Woodbine, GA;
* Savannah State College, Savannah, GA;
* University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
* Member of:
* Georgia and Camden County Retired Educators Association.
* Georgia and National Education Association.
* Georgia and National Association of School Administrators.
* National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
* Association for Supervisors and Curriculum Directors;
* The Georgia Committee, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;
* The Elementary Commission of the Georgia Committee,
* Citizen Representative - Kings Bay Impact Coordinating Committee,
* Camden County, Consutant-Georgia Leadership Academy,
* Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated,
* Pioneer Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Kingsland, GA;
* John Wesley Dobbs Consistory No. 302,
* Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Masonry, Prince Hal Affiliation, Folkston, GA;
* Phi Delta Kappa National Honor Fraternity Incorporated, The University of Iowa.
Mr. Peter Baker, a lifelong educator, has inspired many students and adults to take on ambitious challenges in order to make great efforts to maintain an image of professionalism and to always strive for excellence by going that extra mile to achieve success. He has toiled with untiring devotion to Educational Services, Church Ministries and Civic obligations.
Sorrowfully, Peter passed away on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at Baptist Community Hospice in Jacksonville, Florida. He was preceded in death by both parents, Tannah F. Morris Baker and Robert Baker, Sr., his siblings, Virginia Baker Gregory, Maxine Baker Creighton, Ellen Baker Waye, Vivian Baker Walker, Thomas Baker, Roy Lee Baker and Robert Baker, Jr.
Those left to cherish his memories: his loving wife, Marian A. Lewis Baker; his siblings, Mayme (Robert) Jeffries, Houston, TX, Sylvania Dawson, Jacksonville, FL, Florena (James) Baker, Atlanta, GA, Amos Baker, Kingsland, GA, Pearl (Joseph) Coleman, Daytona, FL and Andrea (Vernardo) Baker, Kingsland, GA; as well as, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and acquaintances, who will miss him dearly.
A walk thru viewing will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., at Allison Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 10141 Colerain Rd., St. Marys, GA.
A private burial for immediate family members will be held on Friday, June 4, 2021 @ 9:00 a.m. in the Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Marys, GA. This is a request that was made by the family. We here at Royal Funeral Home ask that you kindly respect the family's wishes and request. Your cooperation in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Everyone planning to attend the viewing or the private burial are asked to please wear your masks and adhere to the social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread and infecting of anyone in attendance.
Per the family, in lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Peter J. Baker Scholarship Funds.