Dorothy (Dotty) Baker

Dorothy Baker (Dotty) died Sunday, June 25, 2023 at Ridgecrest Rehab and Skilled Nursing Center after suffering a stroke.

Memorial Service will be held Monday July 24, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Forgiving Heart United Church of Christ with Rev. Emly Bell and Rev. Earnestine Campbell officiating according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentain Blvd. Columbus GA 31907.

Dotty was born March 28, 1948 in Eufaula, AL to the late James Hilton Baker Sr. and Dorothy Cade Baker. She was the second born of four blue eyed Baker Children. Dotty was greatly treasured by her parents, siblings, nieces and nephews.

Dotty graduated in 1966 from Russell County High School in Hurtsboro, AL. She obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from Huntington College in Montgomery, AL. Being the first Baker child to graduate from college she met, a goal set by her parents.

Dotty was the FIRST woman sworn officer in the Columbus Police Department and at the time one of the few holding a degree in the Department in 1971. She helped to start the Youth Services Division in 1972.

Dotty retired as a Social Worker/Case Manager in the HIV/Aids program of the West Central Georgia Health District in Columbus. It is said that Dotty wrote the best and most complete Social History in the State of Georgia. After retirement she volunteered to assist displaced New Orleans residents who came to Columbus, GA after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Thus she assured that Public Health Department executed its role in supporting the special needs population after the disaster.

Dotty was a generous spirit who loved animals, fishing, gardening and floral arranging. She shared her beautiful flowers cut from her own yard with her co-workers and friends thus making the work place happier and more cheerful. As a special gift, flowers from her personal yard, were used in the weddings of her nieces, Sabrina and Abby. She worked with Hope Harbor, Animal Ark, as well as her Church Forgiving Heart United Church of Christ.

She was a loving dog mom to her two Boston Terriers, Joy and Ruffus, and to her unique cat Hooch. She doted on her sisters and friends pets as well. Dotty was famous for her “special” Christmas boxes given to her immediate family.

Beyond her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, James Hilton (Jimmy) Baker Jr. and Special Friend David G. Wallace.

Dotty is survived by her sisters Elsie Spanogians (Jim) of Columbus, GA,  Margaret Gosden of Columbus, GA, nieces and nephews Sabrina McEver (Jimmie), Robert (Rob) Ellison, III, Allyson Stafford (Scott), Rev. Benjamin Gosden (Katie), Dorothy (Abby) Knight, and her care taker and special friend Eva Wade and 10 great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to Forgiving Heart United Church of Christ 2946 Grant Rd, Columbus, GA 31907, or Hope Harbor of Columbus.