photo by Kenneth Boone

Jennifer Baker

Jennifer Baker

Friends, family admire resident for work, battle with cancer

By Natalie Nettles (Contact) | Alex City Outlook

Published Saturday, February 27, 2010

Wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cancer survivor, volunteer and friend.

Those who know lifelong Alexander City resident Jennifer Baker say she is all these things and more.

Her sister, Janet Austin, said Baker is special to everyone she comes in contact with and excels at her job as program supervisor of Alexander City Parks and Recreation.

“She goes above and beyond the call of duty to make sure those children who attend the after-school program have a positive, safe, educational and fun experience,” Austin said.

Longtime friend Barbara Sokol said Baker has also worked to reenergize the annual Oktoberfest festival.

“Sometimes people’s focus at work can be more about themselves and just making it through 8 to 5, but she’ll do whatever it takes for those children,” Sokol said. “People know they don’t need to worry about their children when they’re with Jennifer.”

Baker said she was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago and, after not getting the results she needed from a lumpectomy, had a successful mastectomy in February 2008.

Since then, Baker has supported cancer research through various means. She serves as co-chair of the Alexander City Relay for Life committee and raised money to participate in the Susan G. Komen “Race for the Cure against Breast Cancer” walk in Atlanta last May.

“It was amazing and challenging,” Baker said of the 60 mile, three-day walk.

“We trained by walking a lot before then, but I was glad to see that last mile each day.”

Baker said she could not have done the walk without the support of her family. She said she has been married to her high school sweetheart, Greg Baker, for 35 years and the couple has two children and one grandchild.

Austin said her sister always makes each member of her family feel loved, needed and special.

“She has always been the straw that held our family together,” Austin said of Baker. “When times of conflict or discord arrive, she knows how to talk to us and shed light. She’s kind of our mediator.”

Sokol said Baker handled her breast cancer battle with gallantry.

“When I was diagnosed, I had the same question everyone has: Why me?” Baker said. “But then one day I realized, why not me? What makes me different?”

Baker said she found purpose in the diagnosis through her involvement with

Relay for Life and Race for the Cure.

“I was like, I know now,” Baker said. “I’m supposed to be a voice for other people who go through this.”

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