Delores Fisher Baden

IN THE BEGINNING: Delores Fisher, the second child of James and Elizabeth Fisher, was born on January 28, 1932 in Baltimore, Maryland. She was baptized in Macedonia Baptist Church at’ eight years of age. Her sister Elizabeth, 12 years her senior, was a role model for her: behavior, attire, career, thinking, etc. Her gentle sister died on January 19, 2010. Her stepsister, Elaine Peggy Gray. also preceded her in death. HER SPIRITUAL JOURNEY: After nearly thirty years of membership at Macedonia, in the early 1970s, Delores and Wallace joined Heritage United Church of Christ encouraged by big sister Elizabeth, who was a member of the Diaconate Board and the Chancel Choir. After joining Heritage, Delores continued her spiritual service to God and the Church. She was former Vice President of the local Church Council, member of the Trustee Board, the Pastoral Relations Committee, as well as President of the Association for the Central Atlantic Conference of the of the United Church of Christ. HER CAREER: Delores was an avid reader and an excellent student. Attending Joseph H. Lockerman Elementary School, she moved quickly through six years at an accelerated rate of four years. Then she attended Booker T. Washington Junior High School and Frederick Douglass Senior High School, completing these high school years by age 16. Questioned about her next academic steps, she chose Coppin State Teachers College to initiate her ambition to become a teacher. Four years at this school prepared her to become an Elementary school teacher. Years moved swiftly as she joyfully taught as a classroom teacher, senior teacher and elementary specialist. She was part of a vanguard of teaches who moved the system through the years of beginning integration in 1954. She was then called upon to work in an integrated situation as Vice Principal of Leith Walk and later as Principal of schools number 140, 13, and 67. A calling to expand and experience a new dynamic, moved her to the Montgomery County Public School District, where she led a fully integrated staff and thoroughly entrenched the parent group in a well-developed system to attain the honor of Exemplary School, so called by the U.S. Department of Education and awarded by the President of the United States. During her years as an educator she worked quietly achieving many honors and requests for work in many educational arenas. HER LIFE: On October 10, 1954, Delores changed her single status and married Wallace Thomas Baden. Her mate became more than a friend of many years. She had known him since both were fourth grade students. Their union was cemented in love, respect and admiration, and lasted for 57 years until his passing on December 6, 2011. Lest one make the assumption that life for Delores was comprised of a singular thread, one needed to be aware of her many and varied experiences with a variety of family, friends and acquaintances with whom she traveled over the world and the U.S. They shared similar work, Wallace for Baltimore City Public Schools and Delores for Baltimore City and Montgomery County Public Schools. They also enjoyed years of camaraderie, traveling over the world: Bermuda, Canada, Spain, Russia, England and Holland. Entertainment of friends, engaging in games of all sorts, Pinochle and Bridge with friends and family. She participated in social clubs and card clubs in which she continued to enjoy until death. She was a member of the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, former President of the Holidays, Inc., member of the Baltimore Drifters, SKC’s, Grandslammers and the newly formed Et Cetera. “Delores lived her life to the fullest: friend to all, champion of the righteous, Christian completely, spiritual mentor to many, loving sister to Elizabeth, and dearest wife to Wallace Thomas Baden.” THE FINALE: Left to miss this dynamic soul are: stepnieces, Brenda Prior and Beverly Burwell; cousins, Floyd Jefferson and other Jeffersons: Gwendolyn Rogers, Andrea Mack, Kevin Mack, Francene Johnson, Alfreda Johnson; The Lindsay Family; godson, Ronald W. Lindsay Jr., Frances M. Williams, Timothy S. Williams Sr. (Sandra); her adopted grandson, Timothy S. Williams Jr., Wardell J. Lindsay Jr. (Peggy), Mary C. Gethers (Jahureia), Ruth C. Marsh (Monty), Lynette M. Hancock (Casper) Patricia A. Gayles, Debra Gayles (Ernest, deceased); many young Lindsays who called her Dee Dee, and a host of friends and acquaintances.

Tributes

Delores Fisher Baden

January 28, 1932 - July 4, 2022