Goldie Baker

GOLDIE BAKER, the eldest child of the late Margaret and Woodrow Dockins, was born on July 23, 1932 in Baltimore City. She passed on to Glory on Saturday, June 10th, after a long struggle with diabetes and its side effects. Goldie was a product of the Baltimore City Public School System, where she attended Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. She then completed nursing school and was employed by Springfield State Hospital and Stella Maris. In 1947, Goldie married Henry Lee Epps, Sr. The marriage failed but one child, Henry Lee Epps, Jr. was conceived. In 1958, she married Larry James Baker. This marriage was blessed with six children: Shirley Ann, Carolyn Laura, Larry Tyrone, Maurice, Sharon Denise (deceased) and Terri. The marriage dissolved in divorce. Alone, raising six children exposed Goldie to great suffering and struggle. Nevertheless, she succeeded and it was this experience that embellished her mission in life - to serve people and minimize poverty. She supplemented her education through major seminars, conferences, and participation in events associated with her life-long struggle for civil rights and opportunities for the oppressed people of America. As a teenager, Goldie had engaged in the Progressive Party Movement in America, where her mother was a dedicated and committed advocate for the progressive causes within and outside the United States. She continued her political activities as a civil rights pioneer, leader of several different grassroots organizations and subsequently played a major role in the election of Clarence "Tiger" Davis to the Maryland General Assembly, after which she assumed the duties of Director of Community Services. Even though she was beset with illness, she persevered until her final breath. At her passing, she was on sick leave from the Maryland General Assembly, but continued to provide counsel and advise Delegate Davis on their life beyond elected office. She leaves to cherish her memory: six surviving children: Henry (Saundra Epps), Shirley, Carolyn, Tyrone, Maurice and Terri; three sisters, Gloria Ash, Bernita Dockins and Regina Blake (Orlando Blake); three brothers, Woodrow Dockins, Jr., Robert Dockins and Ralph Dockins; one aunt, Ethel Dupree and a devoted first cousin, Nathaniel Dupree; forty grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; a host of other relatives, friends, colleagues and a multitude of grateful people throughout these United States of America.

Tributes

Goldie Baker

July 23, 1932 - June 10, 2006