Person Record
Images
Metadata
Name |
Baker, Gussie |
Born |
01/02/1936 |
Deceased |
11/20/2023 |
Nationality |
American |
Biographical Summary |
Gussie Peeples Baker was born at her home on the corner of Marion Avenue and Cross Street above the grocery owned by Vasco and Lois Peeples on Jan. 2, 1936. She was raised there with her brother, Vernon, and two sisters, Carmen and Lois, who sadly died of polio as a teenager. Her parents named her Gussie, after her Grandfather Gus Cole, her mother’s father. Gussie, a sixth- generation Floridian didn't take long to know her hometown’s main street - Marion Ave. At the age of two she wandered away from home on her own, where her parents found her at the Church on Harvey Street – she had decided to go to Sunday school on her own. And it was that determination to set out and accomplish things on her own, that she has demonstrated throughout her years in Punta Gorda. Always the businesswoman, after starting her working career at Punta Gorda State Bank, Gussie became the manager of the Kampgrounds business started by her father on Rio Villa. After she married high school sweetheart, Dale Baker, in 1956 in addition to raising their 3 children, Russell, Debra Baker Dees, and Stephen, she helped manage Dale’s construction business and was active in many civic endeavors. She chaired the centennial celebration for the City in 1987, and for her efforts, was recognized by the Sun newspaper as "Charlotte County’s most Valuable person" of the year. But perhaps one of the achievements of which she is most proud is her work on the integration of Charlotte Highschool in 1965. Gussie was also President of the group that organized the first Punta Gorda Block Party, and in the process formed the "Old Timers" Organization, which has continued to contribute to charitable efforts over the years. For twenty-three years she served on the Police Retirement Board, after she helped initiate the retirement plan for the City’s police department. Continuing to play an important role in the City, Gussie was actively engaged in its restoration after Hurricane Charley, including helping to save the historic Charlotte High School building. Her passion for preserving the City’s history is demonstrated through her roles with the Punta Gorda Historical Society and the Punta Gorda History Center. She oversaw much of the historic furnishing of the Price House and ran several events to benefit the History Park. She was involved in the founding and serves on the Board of the History Center and has created an extensive collection of her photographs and memories in scrapbooks available there. Gussie faithfully introduces herself to each new City Manager, making sure that they learn about the City’s past and its role in shaping Punta Gorda’s future. Gussie, known only by her first name throughout town, with her tired-less enthusiasm for the City, has continued to be a gift to Punta Gorda. She passed away November 20, 2023. Gussie was remembered by the Punta Gorda History Center at the Southern Supper in 2024. |
Occupation |
Community activist |
Education |
Charlotte High School |
Places of residence |
Punta Gorda, Florida |
Spouse |
Dale Russell Baker |
Children |
Russell Debra Baker Dees Stephen |
Father |
Vasco Peeples |
Mother |
Lois Peeples |
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2022.007.003 - Gussie Peeples Baker
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Video cassette of Gussie Baker being honored for her work in Punta Gorda by the Punta Gorda Historical Society
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Video of 2 trips of the "Punta Gorda Girls", one to South Carolina in 1993 and one to Seven Orcas Island, Seattle, WA in 2001
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2023.009.001 - Gussie Baker Scrapbook Fishing, Family Pictures on Gasparilla Island
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