Grace Jackson

Baker

Grace Jackson Baker, 67, of Henrico, departed this July 23, 2023. Grace Jackson Baker was born on August 31, 1955, to the late Clarence and Lois Jackson in Manhattan, New York.

At the age of 6 years, the Jacksons moved from New York to Lawrenceville, VA where Grace was educated in Brunswick County Public Schools system. Grace enjoyed school and excelled in her studies. She was a social butterfly. She knew everyone and everyone knew her. She would often get notes from the teacher saying Grace is very smart but likes to talk to the other students while they are working on their assignments.

First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, Virginia is where Grace decided to give her life to Christ at an early age. She sang with the Junior Choir and served on the Junior Usher Board.

She graduated from Brunswick High School in 1973 where she played the clarinet in the marching band and was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America.

Grace enjoyed fashion, music, sports (football and basketball), business and the arts. Her decision to pursue a degree at Durham Business College was no surprise because of her business acumen. She graduated in 1975 with a degree in Secretarial Studies.

After graduation, she eventually moved to Richmond, Virginia and later met and married Walter E. Baker, Jr. They were married for 42 years and enjoyed life together traveling around the world, meeting people, going to live entertainment shows and concerts, being with family and friends, raising their family and caring for one another.

Grace enjoyed a successful career and worked at various Fortune 500 companies, such as Nations Bank (Bank of America), Mobil Chemical, and Reynolds Metals as Executive Secretary/Office Manager. In 1986, she was certified as a Professional Secretary, which required knowledge in multiple disciplines. Prior to working in the private sector, she worked at Virginia Commonwealth University - Medical College of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and Henrico Schools. The most enjoyable part of her career was working with students at Henrico County Public Schools System as the Technology Support Technician and in the school library. The jobs gave her the opportunity to meet some amazing students who she grew to love, and they loved her tremendously. For many of these students she became a mentor, school mom, counselor, and friend. One of the things Grace did to motivate the students to read challenging material was to offer incentives, which she paid from her personal funds, when they scored well or had good report cards. She stayed connected with a few of them and would see them on occasions when out of the house. She retired after approximately sixteen years from Henrico Schools on July 1, 2011, to spend time with her husband, grandchildren, and family. Grace's entrepreneurial spirit included being one of the founding members, in 1993, of Growth Unlimited Investments, Inc. that invested in the stock market, co-owner of Grace Photography Services in 2008 with Walter for construction progress photographs for projects that included the Main Street Station, St. Mary's Hospital, University of Richmond, and University of Virginia. She also established GJB Services on August 1, 2012, for consulting services.

Grace re-dedicated her life to Christ and attended Greenwood Baptist Church where she and Walter served faithfully for years. While attending Greenwood Baptist Church, she used her beautiful voice in the choir and wherever she could serve to assist others. They later joined Mt Olive Baptist Church in the 1980s, where she sang in the church choir and served on various committees, which included the Pastor Search Committee.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Clarence and Lois Jackson; sister Andrea Nelson; brother, Baron Sumpter; and nephew, Ronald D. Sumpter II. Grace is survived by her devoted husband, Walter E. Baker Jr.; sons Christopher Baker (Jordan), Dwight Samuels; two grandchildren Zion and Lennox Baker. Brother, Ronald Sumpter (Patrice) of Atlanta GA; nieces Kasha S. Askew (Harry), Faith Sumpter and Briana Sumpter. Great nieces, Kylee and Khloe Askew. There are too many to name, but she leaves a devoted cousin Valjean Ferguson, who they routinely talked multiple times during the week. The same can be mentioned about calls and video calls with her friend, Gloria Tucker, a host of cousins, family, and dear friends. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Monday, August 21, 2023 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 8775 Mt. Olive Ave, Glen Allen, Va. Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, officiating. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Massey Cancer Center: Box 843042 Richmond, Va. 23284-0441. Att: Gifts - Records Management ( Hematology Oncology Fund- In memory of Grace Baker in memo). Your contributions can also be made online by visiting https://www.support.vcu.edu/give/massey, select the Hematology Oncology Fund. Arrangements by Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd.