In Memory of Miss Mary Baker (1946) Missionary to Africa

In the Fall of 1943 Miss Mary R. Baker entered the grounds of PBTS. It was the Senior year of a gentleman by the name of Floyd H. Barackman, and they would both go out in different directions to serve the Lord in mighty ways.
Even at a young age she was already doing evangelism work as seen above with her in the Gospel Tract Distribution League.

photo above is from www.marybaker.org

I received an email from a Matthew Dickson who had run across my Davis College History blog and sent me an email about Miss Mary Baker he mentioned that his mom told me she lead four of her hospice workers to the Lord during her last days.) Her brothers Dale and Jerry (Gerald) cared for her and sacrificed much while her health was failing. (Her failing health was due primarily to what the doctor called “jungle liver” which was a result of all of the medication she had to take over the years to combat malaria and other jungle diseases she was exposed to while on the mission field in Africa.)

Below is Mary's Obituary:

Mary Ruth Baker age 81 Veteran Missionary Promoted to Glory [Heaven]

October 16, 1925--September 07, 2007

Mary Ruth Baker age 81 Veteran Missionary Promoted to Glory [Heaven]
October 16, 1925--September 07, 2007

After a lengthy 8 month illness Mary Ruth Baker was peacefully ushered into the presence of her Lord whom she loved and served for over 60 years. “Miss Mary”, as she was affectionately known by so many, was born on October 16, 1925 in Altoona, PA of parents Sidney T. And Mary V. Baker. At age 11 Mary and her family moved to Northumberland, PA where she graduated from Northumberland High School in 1943. At the same age, 11 years, she also surrendered to the call of God to be a career missionary in Africa after hearing Alma Doering speak at the Northumberland Baptist Church. D & D missionary homes of St Petersburg, FL is named after Miss Doering. Mary never forgot her call of God and enrolled in the Practical Bible Training School [now Davis College] in Johnson City, NY where she graduated in the class of 1946. She was accepted by Baptist Mid Missions after one year of nurses training at the Missionary Medical Institute in Toronto,Canada and another year of French language study in Paris, France. Mary began her mission work first in the Central African Republic and soon after in the Tchad Republic [formerly French Equatorial Africa].
Miss Mary served in Africa for 35 wonderful years before returning to the States. For the past 21 years Mary has resided at the Bradenton Missionary Village on Route 64 East. Until her illness this past December 5, 2006 Mary remained active in ministries. She never retired from the ministry of serving her Lord [just re-treaded], since her father ran a tire shop for 30 years in her hometown of Northumberland, PA. One of Miss Mary’s favorite verses in the Bible was Revelation 14:13 “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Mary entered into that rest at approximately 6:55 PM, September 7 at the home of her youngest brother Jerry here in Bradenton where she has resided for the past 8 months. Her brother Dale and his wife Ethel were at her side when she departed from this life. Jerry was returning home from work.
Miss Mary was preceded in bereavement by her parents, Sidney and Mary Baker and her older brother John and her younger brother Howard. She is survived by three brothers, Rev. Thomas E. Baker of Sunbury, PA and Naples, FL, Rev. Dale E. Baker and Rev. Gerald R. Baker, both residing in Bradenton, FL. Mary has five living nephews and six nieces many of which have spent years in the ministry. Aunt Mary impacted all of their lives. Mary had 22 great nieces and nephews and is also survived by one aunt and one cousin.
The verses in the Bible that she chose for her life verses are the following: Prov 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Josh 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

A website has been set up at www.marybaker.org where there is much more about her life and also you can buy a copy of her book The Calling.

Dr. Barackman Memorial video (shown at Homecoming)

The following is the video I produced for Homecoming this year. It is a 3 1/2 minute video about Dr. Barackman who passed away on September 11, 2007. He came to this school in 1941 as a student and was here for over 25 years of teaching students to 'Rightly Divide the Word of Truth.'

Thank you to Dr. Brent Young (1983) for taking Dr. Barackman's Favorite Hymn, My Savior First of All, and doing the background music for the film.

Day Two of Homecoming (50th class reunion of 1957)

Another excellent day at Davis College's Homecoming. I had the great privilege of attending the class of 1957, 50th class reunion. It was a great turn out. Above is most of the class. When we took the photo a few people were still talking back in Griffis Hall. I had the opportunity to share a PowerPoint I put together about the History of the school that I did for Freshman Seminar. I was surprised to learn that during their time in the 1950s very little was told about the history. I also showed Fruits of a God Given Vision, the 16mm film done in May of 1956.
Joan (Thurber) Watkins shared her testimony about working in Africa and many others shared their testimonies of how God has been working in their lives the past 50 years.
One highlight was the men's quartet that was assembled on a moment's notice. It was very wonderful! The Reunion was excellent and it was great to see men and women of God with many years of experience and devotion to our Lord come together and live as if they were my age again. The child in a person never dies only the body of this life ages.
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Earlier in the day there were great messages by Pastor Bill Boulet and Dr. George Miller III. The Memorial I put together for Dr. Barackman with the music from Dr. Barackman's favorite hymn. Thank you Dr. Brent Young (1983) for doing that for the video. An offering was taken for the restoring of the bell. I have also met many great Alumni from 1952, 1957, 1967, and many others. One such couple was Vincent Griffis and his wife (1967). Vincent is the son of late Dr. Paul Griffis (1932). I will do more with Homecoming in the next couple days. Much to post about, and many pictures to share.

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Share your Homecoming memories by posting comments below in the comment box for this post.

First day of Homecoming (brief report)

What an excellent Leadership Conference. Very challenging to hear Dr. H.B. London of Focus on the Family. Many of his teachings were directed at staying in ministry and not falling out with the Lord. He talk about checking our gauges in the Christian life. They were great messages. They will be available on the Davis website in the next few days.


I also had the privilege of meeting some very wonderful Alumni of the school. Two of these ladies are from the class of 1957 and they will be celebrating their 50th class reunion on Friday. I will post more about that after the events occur.
The activities for Alumni will continue through all of Friday and a few activities on Saturday. I am learning much more about the history and I hope to bring some of what I have learned to this blog in the near future.

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Also not related to Homecoming, but today I received much information about Miss Mary Baker of the class of 1946. I will post about here soon also.

Homecoming begins in the morning

The 2007 Homecoming officially begins in the morning (Thursday, September 27, 2007). The Keynote speaker for the Leadership conference will be Dr. H.B. London of Focus on the Family. On Friday the reunions will be held for the Alumni. The three largest reunions will be for the class of 1952 (55th class reunion), class of 1957 (50th class reunion), and class of 1967 (40th class reunion). The majority of the activities will be held in the Robb Gym. I will post more as the events as they unfold. I have been enjoying getting the preparations ready including a 3 1/2 minute video about Dr. Barackman that will be shown on Friday. I might post on the web after I show it. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing what God wants to show me through this conference.

Making of the Men's Dorm, Patterson Hall

This has turned into a three part series about the building of Patterson Dorm. I have done two other posts about the building of Patterson Hall.

To view part one
To view part two

This scan is from the 1946 Theologue. It showed me something I have never known, but it makes perfect sense now. During WW2 there were not many men that attended PBTS. In fact the Inner Circle Men's Dorm was big enough to house them all. Originally the Old Main Building was both a men's and women's dorm with a large wall dividing the two. During WW2 many women came to the school so that the Main Building became strictly a women's dorm. After the war ended many men wanted to go into ministry and the school did not have enough room...hence Patterson Hall was needed to be built. It is interesting to me that the men's dorm was going to have a dining hall and kitchen in the basement.

In Memory of Dr. Floyd H. Barackman

In the Fall of 1941, a few months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, a young student entered the grounds of PBTS. His name was Floyd Hays Barackman and he was from Girard, Ohio. He took up residence in the Inner Circle Men's Dormitory behind the Main Building. His class teacher was Miss Alice Chatlos for his first and second year and then the Rev. Marmion Lowe for his senior year.
During him time here at PBTS he met a wonderful woman named Ella Hayes. They would wed soon after graduation in 1944.

His Senior year he also played basketball (as seen below).

His love for PBTS brought him back only a few years after graduation to teach the the school which he loved. The class of 1965 dedicated that year's Theologue to him. Through his time of instruction at the college he wrote several books. His most famous is Practical Christian Theology. Others include Victors not Victims and How to Interpret the Bible. In all he taught at PBTS from 1962-1968, and then from 1968-1993, and he was the Dean of Men from 1971-1980.

Dr. Barackman and his wife Ella had two children, Ruth and Philip.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2007 the Lord which he had served with his whole heart brought him into the realms of glory.

Dr. Barackman thank you for all your labor now enter into the rest of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Robert Miller's Memories of PBTS

As I continue to work on some items about Dr. Barackman and Miss Mary Baker I would like to post these memories of PBTS.
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The following are some memories of Robert J. Miller. Robert is the one of the sons of Pastor George Miller II, and the younger brother of Dr. George Miller III, the current president of Davis. Like Anita Harrower's memories several months ago, Robert never attended PBTS as a student, but was actively involved with the school when his parents attended. Enjoy his memories, I know I did.
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Growing up on the campus of PBTS

I remember the first day we moved onto the campus at “Practical Bible Training School”. How I enjoyed chasing all the squirrels and climbing up the tall evergreen tree in front of King Hall. I know my Mother was a nervous wreck with knowing I would be getting into everything and anything, the campus a field day of adventure. We had an apartment which was behind the old post office at one point. We lived, also at the married family housing which was completed in the earlier part of the sixties beyond the Knoll. It was there that I became friends with other student’s kids. It was my Brother George and I and My two Parents, George and Eleanor Miller. I loved it on the Campus, ridding my bike for hours on end and never having to leave the Practical grounds. I became good friends with Richard Robb (President Robb’s son) and he and I would always find lots to do as we were the same age. We always had a watchful eye out for President Patterson, who seemed to always be around patrolling the Campus on a hot summer’s eve or evenings during the school year. Dr. Patterson would always stop and take the time to talk to us boys. It always seemed like we had a sense of security with him around. It amazed me that he being President of a college would take the time to care about us boys.

My Father went to Practical and Graduated in 1965 and we stayed at the school with my Father and Mother both working on the staff. We lived in many different places from the “League Building” to another apartment in the old Post Office building, to finally “Clements Hall” before leaving Practical. We left when my Father was led by God into another ministry he started in Spencer, New York. When we lived on campus I had meet many godly folks who were both teachers at Practical, and Staff members. Even the “Head of Maintenance,” Mr. Conn was in my eyes a spiritual man; I would see him on occasion praying with someone. I also remember the students who would come over to our apartment and talk with my parents about there problems. I guess some of the students thought of my mother and father as taking the place of their parents which were farther away.

I live in the Myrtle Beach area now with my Wife Josephine, but we from time to time make the trip up North. We always take a ride through the campus of which is now Davis College and I am, in my mind, always taken back forty some years ago to a wonderful time in my life. I would have not missed it for the world, living on that campus, being amongst the very godly people who where there. Then there were wonderful picnics at Arrowhead, the wonderful guest speakers for the Alumni retreats (as they called it back then), and also graduations. I am very proud to say my Father and Brother both attended Practical (Davis College). From time to time my Wife and I will hear a speaker that graduated from PBTS. My wife always tells me you can see how they were trained just by hearing them preach. It is a wonderful thing that Practical-Davis College has always taken a stand to never waiver from teaching and professing the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Dr. Davis would be proud as to where the college has evolved in these modern times. I always remember and sing it from time to time, some lines from that song the Seniors would always sing at graduation , “on the bank of the Susquehanna, in God chosen place , stands our dear ole PBTS”. I did not attend Practical or Davis, but that precious College will be for ever in my heart as well as everyone in my family’s hearts as well. “PBTS How we love you and your teachers dear” those words will for ever ring out not only in my life but the Miller family. We know that it will only be a bright, blessed future for the countless others who will pass through and be a part of Davis College.

Two godly Alumni have left this earth to be with Jesus

As I posted earlier today, Dr. Barackman went home yesterday. I found out just today that Miss Mary Baker also went home to be with Jesus this past Friday. She was of the class of 1946. She was a missionary in Africa for many years and set many young hearts and minds on fire for Jesus Christ and missions. I am in the process of working on memories from anyone who knew either of these Alumni. If you would like to share a memory fill out the form on the side or email me at cadams@davisny.edu I hope to have a larger post in the next few days with some photos from Theologues.

I myself never met Miss Mary Baker, but the few things I have heard about her are wonderful. She was a missionary in Africa for many years and had a passion for the lost souls of humans everywhere. She would get people excited about missions anytime she would come back to her Alma Mater.

Dr. Barackman I never met in person, but I talked to him once on the telephone and wrote a couple letter to him and received a couple back. The last one was from October of last year. He wrote it soon after getting out of rehabitation. He was excited that I was still studying the history of Davis. In the final paragraph he wrote.

"I was released from Broad Acres rehabitation center on September 8th (2006) after having been there for eight months. It is wonderful to be home with my wife, I have been doing a study of Psalm 23. It will be an exciting time when we are with John A. Davis and John R. Clements in glory and learn more about the school's history. I appreciate your interest in this and your desire to maintain a current history of today's events."

Well Dr. Barackman now you are in glory talking to Dr. Davis and Mr. Clements. Soon we will be together either when Christ returns or I go to be with Him.

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Please share your memories of these two godly Alumni. I know I would love hear more about both and I know other Alumni will too.

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Dr. Barackman's Obiturary -Sun-Gazette
Dr. Barackman's Obituary- Press and Sun
Miss Mary Baker's Obituary

Dr. Floyd H. Barackman has gone home to be with his Lord

Yesterday (Tuesday, September 11, 2007) Dr. Barackman of the class of 1944 went home to be with His Lord. He was 84 years old. To read the small obituary click here. More about Dr. Barackman later today and tomorrow.

History of the School in Freshman Seminar

Yesterday (Monday, September 10, 2007) I had the privilege for the second year in a row to teach the History of Davis in the class Freshman Seminar. I had put together a PowerPoint last year, which I modified for this year. I am already thinking of ways to modify it for next year if I am given the chance to teach it again. There is much information to cover about a school that is 107 years old considering I cover the life of Dr. John A. Davis in detail as well. They seemed to enjoy it and many came up to me after I was done and said they had learned a lot. I enjoy teaching the rich history of this school and learning about it and the way that God has worked in the hearts and lives of Alumni and the lives of those the Alumni have touched in the name of Christ. The Sun never sets on PBTS/PBC/Davis Alumni!

Large storm over campus and Lightning hitting Chatlos

Last night (Saturday, September 8, 2007) at around 11:20 PM lightning struck the Chaltos dorm. There was a large electrical storm with much needed rain for the Binghamton area. The dorm is fine other than at the present time the phone system for the campus is not working. No one was injured, praise God. The lightning strike caused all the alarms to go off and the girls to be evacuated from the dorm to the gym for a short time. The event reminds me of the first classes done on this campus in 1911 and the large storm that occurred. I wrote about in Part 7 of the life of John A. Davis and also in an article about King Hall. The storm caused damaged the campus and destroyed trees. Are there any storm memories of Alumni?

School Bell...Ringing in a new phase of Davis History

The School Bell, given to the school by the class of 1923, has been moved from the roof of Chatlos over the summer. The bell that was given by the Senior Class of 1923 and was rung over the years has been taken down to be restored and placed in the center of the campus for all to see and enjoy. It will be placed where the old fountain once sprayed water. It will be the Alumni project for this year's Homecoming. A planned gazebo is also going to be adorned in the center next to the bell. It is great be able to see this wonderful piece of Davis College History up close and personal as it sits next to the entrance of the cafe. Can you hear it ringing as it wakes you up for class?

The Centennial Post (100 posts later- one year later)

A little over a year ago I started this blog during my Senior Year at Davis College. Now 100 posts later the blog still continues on. I have heard from a few Alumni that have read the blog, but I would love to hear from many others. I would love to hear your stories and post them here. I have enjoyed reading and responding to many on the Davis College Message board at http://davisny.edu/alumni/messageboard.htm If you are Alumni or a former student I would encourage you to join and share there also. Here is to the next year and to the next 100 posts. I would love to hear the ideas of the Alumni about what you would like to see.