Dessie Baker

Dessie E. Baker, 92 of Little Egg Harbor, NJ passed away on Thursday April 20, 2023. Dessie was born in Duquesne, PA and spent over 40 years living in Cape May Court House, NJ before moving to Savannah, GA in the winter and Little Egg Harbor, NJ in the summers. She eventually moved to Little Egg Harbor full time in 2018 to be near her daughter. Dessie was a stay-at-home mother, when her children were in school, she began to enter the work force. She held several different positions including being a field advisor for the girl scouts of South Jersey. Most of her years working was for the Middle Township Board of Education as a teacher's aide. She was very active in the art, music and library culture and a member of the women’s society both in Cape May Court House and in Savannah Georgia. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church Cape May Court House, Savannah, and Tuckerton. She was involved in the beginning years of the Cape May Jazz Festival. In Georgia, she was a part of the National Association of Black Storytellers, was involved for many years with the Coastal Regional Commission-Area Agency on Aging and was actively involved as a volunteer with the Savannah Library system. After moving to Tuckerton Dessie became a member of the Great Bay Women’s Club. Dessie travelled extensively and was well-known for having friends everywhere she went. She was sassy and passionate about things she loved. She loved spending time entertaining friends and family. She would tell everyone, “Let me know you’re coming, and I’ll make you a pound cake.” 

Dessie was predeceased by her parents Lloyd and Vastai Sidberry, beloved husband Carl O. Baker, daughter Victoria Martin, grandson Carl Stephens-Baker brothers Vernon “Red,” Lloyd “Jr.” and Charles and sisters Thelma “Baby,” Mary “Sister,” Harriet “Peaches” and Vera. 

She is survived by son Kim Baker of Atlantic City, NJ, daughter Carla Baker of Little Egg Harbor, granddaughter Dessie as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and close family friends. 

Visitation will be held on Friday May 26, 2023, from 11am until the Memorial Service at 12 noon at The First United Methodist Church of Tuckerton 134 N. Green Street Tuckerton, NJ 08087. 

Arrangements under the care of Maxwell Funeral Home, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087.