Rockdale County GaArchives Obituaries.....Zedric Cook Baker June 4 1891
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Phyllis Thompson mandpthompson@bellsouth.net April 26, 2004, 8:21 pm

The Solid South, June 20, 1891
MR. Z. C. BAKER
  The death of  Z. C. Baker on the 4th of June, and his burial in the Sodom 
graveyard two days later is known to the reading public already. But there was 
that about the man, features in his physical makeup and traits of character 
that are not generally known, a partial description of which, we believe, will 
be read with interest by some at least.
  Mr. B. was the last of a large family, and, although in his eighty-third 
year, had sound teeth; and a beard that was a wonder-- the longest the writer 
ever saw. In order that reader may get a correct idea of the length of this 
wonderful appendage to the man's face, we will say that Mr. B. was of medium 
height and when standing errect his beard reached three inches below his knees.
It reminded the writer of those long tresses of moss hanging from the trees in 
south Georgia and Florida. Of course this lengthy beard was not permitted to 
hang loose, to be blown about by the wind and become entangled with everything 
it came in contact with; but was kept tied at the ends with a string or ribbon, 
tucked under the chin and confined with a hairpin as the ladies do their hair.
  Mr. B. was a dissenter from the common faith of his church. Although he 
believed that Christ in his death opened up a way, and made it plain and 
possible that all men through him might be saved.
  He believed that men could quit their meaness. This he taught by precept and 
enforced by example, for having been a slave to whisky and tobacco in his young 
and middle life he quit both in his old age, and became an ardent worker in the 
temperance cause. Through his influence and the friendly co-operation of others 
a temperance society was established at Pleasant Hill, where more than a 
hundred were induced to come forward and take the pledge. And though some have 
forgotten their pledge others have not and they will not, but as long as they 
live will keep it and remember the name of Z. C. Baker with pride and pleasure. 
In this he has left for himself a monument for which his children should be 
more proud than for any marble shaft that could be erected.
  Mr. B. had enemies. Who ever accomplished any good without making enemies? 
Bread for God is poison to the devil. And the man or woman that will go through 
life without making enemies will accomplish little or no good. Of course Mr. B. 
had enemies, and their sharp words sometimes cut him to the heart, but he never 
sulked, but accepted persecution as one of the conditions of life, and the 
backbiter as one of the fixtures of every community, and went boldly forward in 
the discharge of what he believed to be his duty. Punctual to meet and faithful 
in his duties as a deacon in the church of his choice where, by his age and 
venerable appearance he wielded a great influence over the congregation, 
telling the tremendous mistakes of his early life and admonishing young and old 
to profit by his experience, and turn from their evil ways and  be happy, and 
to God and be saved.
  In the death of our venerable brother Zedric Cook Baker the church and people 
of Rockdale suffer a great loss, is the opinion of a sorrowing brother.


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