Dorothy R. Baker

On May 25, 2017, Dorothy Roundtree Baker, a long time community advocate and leader, departed this life at the age of 83. Dorothy was born on May 2, 1934 and raised in Sanford, Florida. After graduating high school from Crooms Academy, and at the insistence of her parents Willie and Bertha Roundtree, she matriculated at Tuskegee Institute (Tuskegee, AL) where she earned a degree in Education. Dorothy received a Masters of Education degree from the University of Massachusetts. She furthered her education at Carnegie Institute, Stetson University, the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University.

On December 22, 1957, Dorothy was united in marriage to Syerenees W. Baker. To this union they were blessed with four daughters, Sabrina, Katrina, Yolonda and Tonya. Dorothy was a very devoted and loving wife and mother.

Dorothy's professional career included serving as a teacher in the Florida Public school system, college professor and administrator at Florida Memorial College (Miami, FL), Area Development Director for the United Negro College Fund, and President/CEO of the Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce. She also served as a business consultant and had a leadership role in international trade missions to Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, Spain and France. She was a guest lecturer to numerous colleges/universities and other developing chambers of commerce across the country.

Dorothy was a member of numerous organizations including the local Tuskegee Alumni chapter and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She served on several boards including the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Goodwill Industries of Miami. She was a longstanding member of Holy Family Episcopal Church in Miami and current member of St. Peters Anglican Church in Tallahassee, Fl.

Dorothy leaves to cherish her memories and carry out her dreams: a devoted husband, Syerenees; four daughters Sabrina (Gregory), Katrina (Gary), Yolonda (Meredith) and Tonya (Delon); one stepdaughter Darlene (Wallace); a brother Robert (Jackie) and one niece(Angela); 13 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and a host of other bereaved relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Dorothy Baker Scholarship Endowment at Tuskegee University. Checks should be made payable to Tuskegee University indicating Dorothy Baker Scholarship in the memo section and mailed to (PO Box 13615, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Attention: Katrina Rolle)