Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Baker, John W. December 8, 1948
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Diane Renfrow dianel14@gmail.com March 27, 2016, 3:39 pm

Norfolk Journal and Guide,Dec 18,1948
Norfolk - Hundreds of his former students will mourn at the bier of John W.
Baker Sunday at St. John’s AME Church if one of his last wishes is fulfilled.

The retired school teacher through whose classroom many thousands of students
passed during his half century of service died Wednesday morning following a
prolonged illness at Petersburg VA. He resided many years prior to his death at
the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Brown, 969 Marshall avenue.

When he passed, he had said to Mrs. Brown, he wanted all of his former students
to come to his last rites even if they were held in a funeral home. Arrangements
for the church funeral at 2 p.m. Sunday have been made according to Mrs. Brown.

Head of the history department at Booker T. Washington at the time of his
retirement in 1946, Mr. Baker has taught perhaps every student graduated from
the local high school during the past 30 years.

A lifelong resident of Norfolk, he was unmarried, and had no known surviving
close relatives.

His body will lie in state at the Brown home, 969 Marshall avenue from Saturday
morning until the funeral Sunday.

Appearing on the program at the final rites will be the Rev. H. M. Shields,
pastor of St. John’s who will deliver a short sermonette; Superintendent of
Schools, E. S. Brinkley who will pay tribute to the deceased; Harvey N. Hicks,
president of the Norfolk Teacher Association, who will make expressions; and
Winston Douglas, principal of Booker T. Washington who will make brief remarks.

Music for the occasion will be rendered by the St. John’s and Booker T.
Washington Choirs and Mrs. Robert J. Brown, who will sing a solo. Pallbearers
will be co-workers and former students of Mr. Baker.

Two years ago upon his retirement, Mr. Baker was honored with a testimonial
dinner given by the faculty of the local high school in recognition of his long
and devoted service in the classroom and as a teacher in this city for 45 years.

Mr. Baker began his teaching career in Norfolk Mission College following his
graduation from the institution. He came one of the two or three colored
teachers among the faculty of white then at the school.


Additional Comments:
Calvary Cemetery

BAKER, JOHN WILFRED 3003 Section 2, Block 2, Lot 168, Space NW 74 12/12/1948  IM

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