[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 15, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E328-E329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. SALLIE CHEW BAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EUGENE SIMON VINDMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 15, 2026

  Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Mrs. Sallie Chew Baker also known affectionately as ``Dear Mama.'' 
Born in 1885, Mrs. Baker was a respected businesswoman, educator, and 
spiritual leader who left a lasting impact throughout the Caroline 
County Community.
  Mrs. Baker's legacy continues to live on through the countless lives 
she touched.

[[Page E329]]

Alongside her late husband, Dansberry Abraham Lincoln Baker Sr., she 
raised six children--Judge, Napoleon, Druscilla, Dansberry Jr., Proft, 
and Lloyd. However, she didn't just stop there, she opened her home to 
children across the community, creating a safe, nurturing environment 
where everyone felt welcomed and cared for.
  A devoted community leader, Mrs. Baker owned and operated a grocery 
store that not only provided essential goods but also served as a 
critical place for families in need to shop. Her kindness and 
compassion were evident in every part of her work, always putting 
others before herself.
  Her commitment to preserving history was equally remarkable. Mrs. 
Baker played an important role in protecting the historic Guinea one-
room schoolhouse, which served Black students from 1918 to 1959. When 
the community plan to convert the site into a beer garden, she fought 
tirelessly to preserve its legacy. In a defining moment, she attended 
an auction at Union Bank & Trust and successfully put in a bid for $575 
to reclaim the building--an act that earned her deep respect not just 
from her immediate community, but those who also doubted her abilities.
  After securing the property, she transformed the schoolhouse into the 
Ever-Ready Club, a space to uplift children and ensure they had access 
to the resources and opportunities needed to succeed.
  In 1962, Mrs. Baker then donated the land to be used for the new 
Macedonia Baptist Church in Woodford, Virginia. In recognition of her 
remarkable gift, she was honored as the church's first ``Mother'' and 
had the distinction of cutting the ribbon on Easter Sunday, April 14, 
1963.
  More than six decades later, the church continues to serve as a 
spiritual home for many Virginians.
  I want to personally honor Mrs. Baker for her contributions and 
unwavering commitment to the Caroline County community. I also want to 
thank family, friends, and members of Macedonia Baptist Church for 
their ongoing service and dedication to strengthening our community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. 
Baker, and her legacy of faith and community leadership.

                          ____________________