Page 5 - Florida Sentinel 4-24-20

Feature
Jurisdictional Women’s Supervisor Of COGIC Passes
Only What You Do For Christ Will Last – Remembering the Legend, “Mother Alberta M. Baker”
A great teacher, preacher, mother, singer and friend, Supervisor Al- berta Morris Baker passed away peacefully at her home in Tampa, FL, on April 15, 2020. She was 86 years old.
Mother Alberta M. Baker was destined to follow in the footprints of her parents -- her dad, a preacher and her mother, a singer, dedicating her life to ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ.
With fire and vigor Mother Baker sang, preached and prayed. In her early years, she went from house to house, city to city spreading the good news of the gospel. Mother Baker was known for her beautiful white hair and there was no mistaking her voice, she had the “gift;” she possessed that something down on the inside that peo- ple were drawn to and wanted to be around.
Her life was dedicated to the work
MOTHER ALBERTA M. BAKER ...Supervisor, Women’s Dept., Jurisdiction of Southwestern Florida
of the Lord, with the intent that God be glorified. Using her gift, she sang as part of the Gospel Aires of Williston, FL appearing on television, radio and even on the Ed Sullivan Show.
She was married to Deacon Henry Baker and together had nine- teen children. The two worked hard and loved each other dearly establish-
ing a beautiful loving environment for their family.
After moving to Tampa, the family joined Brown Temple COGIC, later to become Brown Memorial COGIC, where they both remained until their demise.
Mother Baker walked to work - working in the fields, picking fruit, veg- etables, as well as in the kitchen. She was not deterred and always endeav- ored to do better. She worked at the local hospital as a nurse’s aide while at- tending night school to complete her education. She drove school buses for Hillsborough County for approximately 20 years until she had to retire because of a disability with her legs. Many were brought to Christ as the “Moses” of the school bus ministered to parents and children alike.
She ran revivals. Nothing could stop her commitment to God. Her “gift” made room for her. She worked tire- lessly in the church holding many posi- tions, president of the choir, recording and financial secretary and superin- tendent of the Sunday School.
In the early 1970s, she became the Evangelist Elect Lady for the Jurisdic- tion of Southwestern Florida. In the 1980s, she was appointed District Mis- sionary and held that position for fif- teen years. She would say one of her greatest joys was becoming the founder and Mother-in-Charge of Overcoming COGIC in Clearwater, Florida, where she served for eleven years.
In January 1999, she was appointed Jurisdictional Supervisor of the Women Department for the Jurisdic- tion of Southwestern Florida working alongside Bishop Matthew J. Williams, Jurisdictional Prelate and General Board Member of the Church of God in Christ, until her earthly work had ended.
Supervisor Alberta M. Baker
remained faithful to her family, church, the jurisdiction and her mission to share the gospel of Jesus Christ leaving an indelible mark on everyone she met. (See Funeral Notices for informa- tion on her services being han- dled by Woody’s Funeral Home)
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