Freddie Mae Baker

Freddie Mae (Burns) Baker was born on Monday, March 17th, 1930. She was proud to say she was born on St. Patrick Day. Her parents were Lillie (Skillern) Burns and Fred Burns. Lillie and Fred had 2 daughters, Aline and Freddie Mae Burns. William Dorn, Sr. was Freddie’s older brother from Lillie’s previous marriage. Mary Helen Phillips was Freddie oldest sister from Fred’s previous relationship. Every member of this family unit preceded Freddie Mae in death.

As a child Freddie was called Dirty Red. The name had nothing to do with her skin tone. She often told stories of her upbring in East Dallas where the East Dallas Projects now stand. That area’s ground was covered in red clay dirt. She would get so dirty playing in the red dirty that the name Dirty Red was created. She also told the story about how the Skillerns (Grandfather Sam Skillern) owned all the land where the Projects still stand today. They even had a street named after them (Skillern). This was the way of life for most Black families, especially in the South that owned land. The city of Dallas basically stole the land from the Skillern families.

Freddie Mae (as she preferred to be called) joined True Lee Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. She was in the choir and active in other areas in the church. To her and the Skillern family that was their home church for life. At least 5 generations of Skillerns were members of True Lee Missionary Baptist. Freddie Mae and Lawrence often prepared Sunday Dinners at True Lee after service.

Freddie Mae attended Julia C Frazier and Lincoln High. She was a very proud graduate from the Lincoln High School Class of 1947. A few years after graduating from high school, she moved to Chicago, IL to attend Wayne School of Nursing. After graduating from Nursing School in 1951 she returned back to Dallas, TX. Later on in life she went back to better herself by going to business school. Freddie attended Southwestern Business College America School of Training located in downtown Dallas, TX. Completed that program while mothering 5 children and being a wife.

Her first real job was at the Baker’s Hotel (eventually called The Adolphus Hotel). There she was an elevator operator. Her employment started when she was just a teenage. So, she dressed to appear to be older than she was. While living the false life in downtown Dallas she met her future husband, Lawrence Baker. He also worked Downtown Dallas as a cook at the bus station. During a lunch break the two met and the rest of that story is history.

On June 2nd 1951 they were married. This marriage lasted until death did they part on April 7th, 1986. During their marriage they were parents to 5 children. The children were known as the Bakers throughout South Dallas; Lil Lawrence, Sharon, Frederick, Micheal and Diane. With the exception of Sharon and Michael they all have preceded her in death.

Freddie’s employment during her years included Elevator Operator, Domestic, School Lunch Cook, Caterer, Substitute Teacher, Nurse, Precinct Election Judge and many more. She and her husband Lawrence Baker, Sr. were the first Black couple in the Metroplex to own what they called a Bar B Que Pit on Wheels. They traveled all over North and East Texas catering Private Parties, Dog Trials, Company Picnics/Events, First Mondays in Canton, Tx and many more. She once said they went where most Blacks were not allowed. The food was so good that despite racial inequalities they were welcomed with open arms.

During her time working in the Lunch Room at Lincoln High School she mastered her famous desserts. Sweet Potato Pie, Chess Pie and Peach Cobbler were the most requested by everyone. Family and friends could not wait for Sunday dinners and the holidays to enjoy those treats. She never measured any ingredients just cooked to her satisfaction. Just a natural.

She became a Substitute Study Hall Teacher after completion of Business School. Freddie stayed busy working all the Black Junior and Senior High Schools in DISD. The students all loved, respected, obeyed and listened to the lady that had a way to make the most disrupted students behave. When she called you up to her desk whatever words she spoke in your ear was only said once. Other teachers were so impressed with how she handles her students that they sometime just came by the room to observe. Mr. Billy Earl Dade (Pearl C. Anderson’s Principal) was always happy to have her at his school.

Strange but true some of the least stressful jobs were the Domestic ones. These she had some control. No 9 to 5 just come, do and go. Over the years she met many kind and thoughtful families. The families she worked for treated her with love and respect. She did this until her sons stopped her from driving.

As a mother to her 5 children, she was the best at times and the meanest at times. She believed in disciplining all her children. Freddie Mae was also a Ride or Die Mother. No matter what people said her children did she stood by them. In her world, she was the one to decide whether or not to discipline her children not someone else.

Freddie Mae proudly attended school programs, offsite performances, PTA meetings, sport games, parades, concert, dance performances whatever them Baker children were of part of. Just look around and you would see Mrs. Baker there supporting her children. She was a Den Mother at Joseph J. Rhoads for 8 years. Most of the neighborhood boys were member of the cub scouts because of Mrs. Baker. The weekly meeting at her home were always fun with treats and drinks.

The of the best parts of her was helping others. She actively walked the neighborhood knocking on doors to collect for the March of Dimes. Her home had a revolving door. If you needed a place to sleep, stay or something to eat you were welcome at her home. Family, friends, family of extended families came, ate and slept when needed. Her grandkids basically live at her home most of their lives but some went home at night. Big Momma’s house was their true home no matter where their parents lived. Never turning anyone away even when times were tough. If you were sick, in an accident, problems at your home it didn’t matter what time of day you called she and her husband would be there for you. When her husband became ill, she stayed by his side only leaving when Lil Lawrence or Sharon relieved her. That kind of love is very rare these days.

She touched so many lives and hopefully changed some for the better. No, she was not perfect but believe it, she was good enough. Her long-term memory was one for the books. She knew so many people and their families throughout Dallas. It was amazing. The stories she shared over the years about her family and their lives would make you want to hear more. If you ever lived in East and South Dallas, she knew you or someone in your family and had stories to tell related to that person. Great mind for reliving the past. A lot of the teachers her children had in school either taught her, went to school with her or just grew up near her.

The one aspect in her life that she wasn’t able to fulfill was being a mortician. Mrs. Baker knew ever Black ran funeral home director in Dallas. She literally tormented she children by taking them to funeral homes when anyone she knew died. When trying to convince her husband that she wanted to go to Mortuary Science Program he just could not support that career change. So, she would volunteer her time when family and friends passed away by assisting in preparing them for their funeral services.

After her husband passed away, she needed something to fill that void. So, she along with other members of the Lincoln High School Classes of 46, 47, 48 and 49 started their Annual Picnic. They did this for 23 straight years. One night every summer that met mostly at Regular Fellows Club House and relived their past high school days. Always a good time talking, dancing and eating. She took great pride in getting as many classmates together each year.

The Dixon Neighborhood chose her to be their Precinct Election Judge. Every election she was there from sun up to after sun set working the poll. During this she was able to reconnect with neighbor long forgotten. She serviced for over 15 plus years.

Freddie Mae and Lawrence had a full social calendar. They were friends with local and nationally known entertainers, professional athletes, local politicians and local club owners. During these times Freddie Mae met James Brown, BB King, Ray Charles, Fat Head Newman just to name a few. Grew up with Al Lipscomb and baby set Rev. Donald Ray Parish Sr. and #33 Duane Thomas.

95 years is a lot of years that touched a lot of people. Freddie Mae Baker will be remembered for so many things but mostly remembered for being true to herself. Mrs. Baker spoke her mind never holding back or taking back what she said. A strong woman with a big heart and a way of expressing herself that most will never forget,

She loved laughter, music, singing, dancing, listening to church songs (what she called them), being with family (both sides), family reunions, going to the washeteria, MONEY, getting presents, watching comedy shows, being in control, never taking back what she said, calling it as it was, dressing to make you take a second look, spending time with her children and grandchildren, dining out, taking pictures, going to funeral to show respect, the Male Choir at True Lee, hearing sermons from Rev Robert L. Parish, Sr., playing practical jokes, listening to dirty jokes, shopping, singing Precious Lord while her husband played piano during family gathering and just loving all parts of her family circle.

Freddie Mae leaves to cherish her memories: Daughter, Sharon (Billy) Titus and son, Michael (Jacqueline) Baker, Grandsons: Billy (Laquannette) Titus, Brian (Donnetta) Titus, Breon (Desirae) Titus, DeAndre Mills, Kentrell (Channell) Mills, Avery Crawford, Makail (Marquisha) Baker, Granddaughters: Lakendra and Kennesha Mills, Aishah (Hollis) Lloyd, Angelic Crawford, Brittni Carlocke, Great grandchildren: Camryn, Bishop, Benjamin, Brie, Legend, Makhyia all Titus, Keniah, Kendrick, Kendan, Tiryn, Aaliyah and Cheyenne all Mills, Markail, Micah, Marco, Mecca all Bakers, Brooklyn Barker, Kingston, Harlem both Lloyds, Nahamani and JoSahn both Crawford. Nieces; Sandra Faye Paine, Glo Dean Gardener, Patricia Gray, Madeline Baker, Shawn, Sheila, Prentice, Pamela and Kelly Wadley, Nephews: Kenneth Baker, Anthony and Marcus Wadley, Cousin Dee, Pinkie and Ronnie, plus many great nieces and nephews, cousins from all over especially California , Denver and Kansas, friends, schoolmates, Dixon Circle family, her children’s In-Laws, and former coworkers/employers. Basically, everyone that ever met her will cherish her memory. She was truly one of a kind, Freddie Mae Burns Baker an original. Momma, Big Momma, Aunt Freddie, Cousin Freddie Mae, Mrs. Baker and Freddie Mae all in one Soul. Rest in Peace and know you will always be missed and loved.

A visitation for Freddie will be held Friday, August 29, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM at Singing Hills Funeral Home, 6221 UNIVERSITY HILLS BLVD, DALLAS, TX 75241. A church visitation will occur Friday, August 29, 2025 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at True Lee Baptist Church, 3907 Bertrand Ave, Dallas, TX 75210. A committal will occur Saturday, August 30, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 8100 Fireside Dr, Dallas, TX 75217. A funeral service will occur Saturday, August 30, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM at True Lee Baptist Church, 3907 Bertrand Ave, Dallas, TX 75210.