Jimmie Lee Powell Baker

Jimmie Lee Powell-Baker, affectionately known as Jean, was born on January 3, 1944, in Sumter, South Carolina to the late James I. Powell and Edna (Taylor) Powell. Jean was the oldest of three children born from this union, before it was dissolved in 1947. Jean was raised in Wedgefield, S.C. by her grandparents, Rhoda and Edwin Taylor, whom she referred to as “Momma and Daddy”. She and her siblings would spend the fall and winter months in Wedgefield going to school and working on the farm. She often told stories about picking cotton, as well as tending to the crops and animals. Jean often explained that she sometimes had to miss school to assist her family with working on the farm. She and her siblings would get a break from the farm during the summer months which they spent with their mother and their stepfather, Purvus Scarbor, along with her younger sister, Carolyn, in Philadelphia, PA. Jean graduated from Ebenezer High School in 1962. Upon graduation, she migrated to Philadelphia to live with her mother and family. There she attended the Apex Academy for Cosmetology, where she became a beautician. Jean eventually moved to New York where she met her husband, Charles L. Baker. They later married in 1968, and two children were born from this union, Pamela Baker and Anthony Baker. Charles preceded Jean in death in 1977. Jean began her journey at Cabrini Medical Center, where she worked for 45 years as a nursing technician. She was extremely kind and compassionate, and her patients and families loved her tremendously. Jean would often be solicited to care for people in their homes. The families trusted her so much that even if she was not able to assist them, they would only take a referral from her. During the 1980’s AIDS/HIV epidemic, Jean worked on one of the first hospital units that treated these individuals. She was extraordinarily loving and kind to this population and often educated those around her, despite their intense fear of being exposed to this population. Jean’s work ethic and commitment were impeccable. She never had a driver’s license, so she took the train and bus each day to work. She would begin her journey by walking approximately a ¼ of a mile to the bus stop. She would then have to walk up the stairs to the “EL Train – elevated train” which she would ride for approximately 30 minutes. She would proceed to walk downstairs to the subway to catch a second train that she would ride for another 10 minutes. Lastly, she would have to walk back upstairs to the street and walk approximately ½ a mile to the hospital. At the end of her work day this process was repeated to return home. Sometimes returning home to sleep for a few hours just to get up to go work her private duty cases. Jean was known to all her family and friends as one of the most kind, giving and genuine individuals. To say that “she never met a stranger” would be the most accurate description of how she moved in the world. Being the oldest of 32 grandchildren, she had several younger cousins who she revered as younger siblings. Her home in New York was often open to assist some of her relatives with transitioning from the south. Sometimes her younger cousins would come for a summer, or a few weeks just to experience life in the city. Other times, they would come to stay with her while attending college. Some relatives came and stayed with her until they were able to move out on their own. Of course, part of their exchange was helping to look after Pamela and Anthony (which was no easy task) while she worked so hard to provide. Jean took her roles as Big Sister, oldest Cousin, Auntie, Surrogate Grandmother very seriously. During family reunions, she would travel with one additional large suitcase filled with many of her family member’s favorite perfumes, colognes, and cosmetics. Despite her children’s frustration with this additional suitcase, Jean was overly ecstatic to distribute these items as everyone came to retrieve their much-anticipated gift. The role that Jean treasured most was that of mother. If you did not know anything else about her, you knew that she was a loving and devoted mother to both of her children. Her children’s well-being was always her number one priority. It did not matter the day or time, her children knew that they could count on their mother to be there, whether physically, emotionally, or financially. She was not only a mother to her children, but to many of their friends as well. She was fondly known as “Mommie” by many, a title which she earned, embodied, and always embraced. In addition to her parents and her husband, Jean was preceded in death by nine aunts; two uncles; her oldest nephew, Marlon Dean Powell; and her adoptive sister, Michelle Williams. Jean departed this life on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Jean leaves behind to cherish her memories, two children, Pamela Baker and Anthony Baker; siblings, Evelyn Powell, Edwin ”Jack” (Omega “Wee”) Powell, Carolyn (William “Bill”) Thomson, Calvin Powell and Lynette Powell; adopted sibling, Marvin (Kadeeja) Williams; uncle, Ernest (Bobbie) Taylor; two aunts, Elizabeth Taylor Hogan and Florence Taylor Young; nieces and nephews, Patricia Powell, Delores Powell, Tryone (Nellie) Powell, Trina Powell, Edwin Powell Jr., Makeeta Powell, Courtney Skelton, Aquilla Crews and Camara Powell; daughters-in-law, Yvette Peterson-Baker and Suzie Matthews-Baker, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Jimmie Lee Powell Baker

January 3, 1944 - January 25, 2024

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