Former Mayor Herman Baker

On September 16, 1926, in Glennwood, Georgia, Adolphus and Annie Bell Lawton Baker gave birth to a son, Herman, who had a destiny of service. His destiny led him into several positions including principal, serviceman, teacher, councilman, coach, pastor, and Mayor.

Herman Baker was a member of First Baptist Church of Wadley, Georgia where he served in many capacities including, Pastor, Deacon, Sunday School teacher and choir member. He graciously shared God's word as he pastored at Jones Grove Baptist Church, Midville, Georgia, Fellowship Baptist Church, Waynesboro, Georgia, St. Paul Baptist Church, Louisville, Georgia and First Baptist Church, Wadley, Georgia. He last served as Associate Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Wrightsville, Georgia. Mr. Baker was a principal for many years, diligently serving the communities' children and parents. He was principal of Booker T. Washington Elementary School, Bartow, Georgia, Louisville High School and Louisville Academy, Louisville, Georgia and Wadley High School, Wadley, Georgia. Herman Baker served his country proudly, as a member of the United States Navy during World War II. Mayor Baker, as many knew him, served the City of Wadley first as a councilman. In 1965, he was elected the first African American councilman of the city. He was later elected Mayor and  served one term, before returning to the position of councilman. Thereafter, he was re-elected Mayor and served two consecutive terms. He was an active member of the American Legion, Georgia Municipal Association, Georgia Association of Black Mayors, Local Retired Teachers Association and Jefferson County Vets in Action. 

Mr, Baker attended Morris Brown College of Atlanta, Georgia, but received his Bachelors Degree in Industrial Education from Savannah State College, now Savannah State University. He completed further studies at George Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee and received his Master's degree in Education from the University of Georgia.

It was at Morris Brown where he met the love of his life. He was united into holy matrimony to Odelia Brown Baker for sixty-eight years. Unto this union five children were born.

Mr. Baker accomplished much in his life, but his greatest accomplishment was his family. They fondly remember the days that he hunted, fished and played basketball and football with his children and with the children in the neighborhood.

On, April 8, 2019, Rev. Baker answered his Master's call at his residence in Wadley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolphus and Annie Baker; two brothers, Adolphus Baker, Jr. and Edwin Baker and his beloved granddaughter, Candace Blount.

Rev. Baker's legacy of service will continue to live on with his wife, Odelia Brown Baker, Wadley, Georgia; three daughters, Pamela Baker, Wadley, Georgia, Teresa Blount Baker, Lithonia, Georgia and Jocelyn Baker, Augusta, Georgia; two sons, Herman Kenneth (Doris) Baker, Sr., Wadley, Georgia and Clayton (Margaret) Baker, Decatur, Georgia; two sisters, Christine Snell and Beatrice Owens, Glenwood, Georgia ; one brother, Sylvester Baker, Toledo, Ohio; his aunts, Julia McKennie, Wadley, Georgia, Joyce McKennie, South Fallsburg, New York and Roberta Baker, Glenwood, Georgia; an uncle, Odath Baker, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;  ten grandchildren, Ken (Jackie) Baker, Kelly Baker (Jerry) Whigham, Brian Blount, Nicholas Blount, Lisa (Christopher) Lake, B.J. (Angie) Blount, Anthony Baker, Valarie Denise Baker,  Wendy (Steve) Mutombo and Dinedra (Hoyt) Hollins, Cross-Green Community; bonus grands, Xzorion Coffie and Jadasia Usery; great grandchildren, Kenuan, Kameron, Kristopher, Omarion, Kamora, Rhema, Emanuel, Aniya, Zion, William III (Trey), Jamal, Jade, Vincent and Harlie; godchildren, Kimberly Hinkins, Samuel Bernard Hinkins, John Henry Walden and Nekia Tarver; true neighbors, who were as loving and caring as his children, Robert and Felecia Walden; all of his Hinkins, Baker and McKennie families and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations, in the form of bookbags filled with school supplies, be delivered to the mortuary for donation to Carver Elementary School and Louisville Academy or a monetary donation be made at Queensborough National Bank and Trust to the Jefferson County Chapter of Savannah State University Alumni fund for scholarship purposes.

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