Mother Luverta Johnson Baker, fondly known as “Bert,” passed away on Friday afternoon, March 29, 2019.
She was born to the late Lee and Lula Mae Johnson on Feb. 12, 1927. She was educated in the public schools of Camden County and was reared in a Christian home. She became a member of the First African Missionary Baptist Church, Kingsland, at an early age, was baptized and served faithfully in the choir.
One daughter was born to Luverta, Hazel Marie Williams. She later met and married her late husband, Joseph Baker in 1952, and moved to Fernandina Beach, Fla.
She was employed for many years at The Sandbar, a privately owned and renowned seafood restaurant on the infamous Fernandina Beach. She was very proud of her employment there because she had the opportunity to see so many people, some of celebrity status. She retired from The Sandbar and began working part-time in food service at the elementary schools. She loved children and enjoyed working around them.
After she retired from The Sandbar, she reconnected with the First Missionary Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach, under the leadership of Reverend Robert Flagler, and served faithfully in the senior choir and later served on the usher board. However, as her health began to fail, she moved to Kingsland to be closer to her younger brother and his family, and was restored to membership at the First African Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor K. C. Davis, and was later consecrated as one of the mothers of the church.
Preceding Mother Baker in death were her parents, Lee and Lula Mae Johnson; her husband, Joseph Baker; a brother, Edwin Dawson; and her only child, Hazel Marie Williams. Mother Baker leaves to cherish her memories: a sister, Jerriel L. Drummond, West Palm Beach, Fla.; her brother and caregivers, the family of Ammie Johnson, Jr., (Yvonne); her niece, Gina Hall (Tracy); and her nephews, Troy (Joanna), Ashton and Josh, Kingsland.
Luverta will be truly missed by her surrogate daughter, Lexie Chatman; goddaughters, Serena Joseph and Bria Luverta Blue; godsister, Lettie McClain; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and sorrowing friends.
A home-going celebration will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019, 12 p.m., at First African Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend K. C. Davis, pastor. There will be no wake. Viewing will be held at the Church on Saturday, from 9 a.m. until the hour of service.
Sunset Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.