Shirley Dozier Baber

December 4, 1933 - July 4, 2021

Shirley Dozier Baber Shirley Dozier Baber, full of grace, was born on Monday, December 4, 1933 in the Foggy Bottom area of Washington, DC. Raised in a home full of love with extended family, including her Mother Hazel Gary, Aunt Janie Kinnard aka “Mother”, her sister Beatrice “Pee Wee”, and sister-cousin Felicia “Bunny” (Kinnard) Nokes. Later the family moved to North Capital Street, NW welcoming all who came through. Early on Shirley, “the responsible one”, was sent to accompany Pee Wee and Bunny on grocery trips for the family. According to her Sister Bea, Shirley was always given the money by their elders, and after errands and some coaxing, the three would end up at the “soda shop” for ice cream. Early memories of Shirley always circled back to her love for her family, devotion to her friends, and help to complete strangers. Strangers were not strangers for long as once you entered Shirley’s presence, you were family. A woman of GOD, Shirley lived her faith. Shirley was educated in the District of Columbia Public School System attending Thaddeus Stevens School, Francis Junior High School, and Cardoza High School. Shirley also attended DC Teachers College later known as the University of the District of Columbia. While attending her beloved Cardoza High School, Shirley met high school basketball “super” star, Albert Olius Baber. Albert and Shirley became inseparable and in 1954 married. From that union three children came forth, Andre Brian, Terence Jason, and Kimberly Yvette. Shirley was an involved and loving Mother. Shirley also had a special relationship with her late Mother-inLaw, Ellen Wortham Baber, and her late Aunt Rhuedine, wife of the late D.C. Deputy Police Chief Owen Davis. Shirley was a devoted aunt to Donn and Duane Younger, Donn’s wife Betty, Dayna Nokes-Minor, and Kirsten Nokes. Among the most special of friendships was cultivated with her Cousin David Gary’s wife, Gloria. Like their mother, Shirley’s children have her heart of gold and generosity of spirit. In many cases, Shirley’s children’s friends had established long, trusted, and endearing relationships with Shirley. Shirley’s devotion extended to Vanessa McCrae, Sandra Ambrose-Reed, and the late Stephan Stewart. In March 1957, Shirley entered Federal Service working as a Statistical Clerk at the United States Census Bureau in Suitland, Maryland and in October 1968, following her 1965 maternity leave, continued her Federal Service at the U.S. Department of Commerce working in the International Trade Administration. During her tenure at the Department of Commerce, Shirley was cited for exemplary performance and was a Bronze Medal recipient. Shirley was also honored for Outstanding Volunteer Service by United States President George H.W. Bush, Sr. as one of the “Thousand Points of Light”. Many of her former colleagues admired her integrity, forthrightness, and kindness. If you knew Shirley, your credibility went up because if Shirley was involved with you, that said something to others. Shirley aka Shirley B. was a loyal, tenacious, loving, and devoted all her life. She was one of God’s most precious gifts. Whether organizing Cardoza Class of 1952 Alumni fundraisers and activities, traveling, shepherding kids in cars to travel to local parks, beaches, or Disney World, Shirley was rarely at rest. Shirley maintained strong relationships with longtime friends: Reverend Verlie Peters, Willette Lucas, Yvonne Bloss, Bluette Smith, Fran and Cornell Williams. Shirley would often, as Andre and Terry reflected, put as many kids from the neighborhood in a car and go somewhere, anywhere. Shirley wanted the young people to have fun coupled with life experiences, and her arms extended to so many young people with guidance, protection, countless meals, and many stays at “Grandma’s House”. The Cardoza Class of 1952 raised scholarship funds for graduates and did so for more than 65 years, fulfilling Shirley’s passion for student achievement and academic support to her Cardoza family. In 1989, Shirley volunteered to support the Howard University Hospital Boarder Baby program and for years served the DC homeless population supporting the Creative Community for Non-Violence food programs. In 1990 Shirley retired. Despite her many post-retirement activities, something was missing. Shirley longed for grandchildren. In July 1992, Shirley’s prayers were answered when her grandson, Jordan Christian Baber was born. Shirley glowed and relished in her role as Grandmother and became Jordan’s daytime caregiver. In March 1995, Shirley was blessed with another grandson, Jamaal Malik Greenwood who also was cared for by Shirley. Finally in June 1997, the last of her blessed grandsons was born, Jabari DeCarlos Greenwood. Shirley loved “her boys” and kept them close. Each of those relationships was unique and cherished. Shirley was a friend and confidant to her grandsons and as the circle of life would have it, their many friends too. Everyone called Shirley “Grandma”. In May 2017, Shirley along with Jabari and Brittany (Taylor), welcomed great-grandson, Bentley Ronald King Greenwood to the family. Shirley maintained a special friendship with Lilla Smith as “Grandma” and “Granny”, forever connected by their love for each of their three grandsons. Strong in her faith, Shirley was a faithful member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church regularly attending Mass. She impressed the importance of faith to her children enrolling each of them in DC Catholic Schools for their early and high school education. Shirley knew our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and through her example, many came to know Him. Shirley loved crafting ceramic works of art, travelling, card games: Bid Whist and Bridge, and shopping. Every evening, Shirley had her quiet time eating her dessert and playing Bridge on her computer. Shirley was attractive and stylish with her many ensembles reflecting and enhancing her glowing personality and smile. Shirley B. was busy like a bee, always doing something to pollenate God’s garden. Shirley was our Queen B, keeping everyone in line and on track. Shirley loved you and cared about you and most of all, you knew it. On Sunday, July 4th, 2021, Shirley woke with cheer and later fell into the Arms of the Master for her eternal rest. Left to always remember and honor her life, her sons, Andre and Terence; daughter, Kimberly (Greenwood); sisters-in-laws, Theresa Blackburn and Mary Davis; nephew and niece, Donn and Betty Younger; son-in-law, Ronald Greenwood; daughter-in-Law, Tonya (Smith) Baber; two grandsons, Jamaal and Jabari; and great-grandson King. Also left to mourn and too numerous to list, a host of beloved nieces and nephews including great and grand, extended family, friends, their children, and hundreds of people whose lives she touched and they hers. Preceded in death, her husband Albert Baber, sister Beatrice Younger, cousin Felicia Nokes, nephew Duane Younger, Sr., and grandson, Jordan Christian Baber. Shirley honored God through her life and works and joined those in Heaven. Shirley leaves us not to mourn, but LIVE AS SHE DID, full of grace and truth. Please find below the LIVE STREAM LINK for the Funeral Services of Shirley Dozier Baber: https://vimeo.com/574480432 Streaming begins tomorrow, July 16th, 2021 at 11:00 AM