Peggy Maffett Baker, 89, died on March 13, 2017 at Christian City Nursing Home, Union City, Ga.
She was born to the late Eva Jane and Fletcher Ellington Maffett at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. She graduated from Girl’s High School and attended Georgia State University (then Atlanta Division of the University of Georgia.) She served as editor of the yearbook, The Rampway. Later she served as a director and then vice president of the GSU Alumni Association.
Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, L. P. (Buddy) Baker and one daughter, Julie Marie.
She had a distinguished career over a lifetime serving as advertising manager, Ivan Allen Company. She retired from the company in 1961. She was lured from retirement to manage the campaign office for Ivan Allen, Jr. as he ran for Mayor of Atlanta.
When the Cold War sparked the Cuban Missile Crisis, she was appointed director of Atlanta’s Civil Defense office, a position she held until a General of the US Army retired and assumed the position. In 1965, when the Sabin Oral Polio vaccine became available, she coordinated a 15-county campaign utilizing recruited volunteers to administer the dose, twice, 6-months apart in the public schools which were opened on Saturdays to accomplish this effort. It became a model for other cities and towns across the country. She always said she was most proud of this project.
During her career she held many leadership positions. Peggy was elected president of the Atlanta Advertising Club, vice president of American Women in Radio and Television, and was named the Woman of the Year in Business in Atlanta in 1960.
After a second retirement she served her local communities by serving on The Hapeville Planning Commission, the Hapeville Service League, the Hapeville Chamber of Commerce and then brought those same skills to her new home in Peachtree City.
For more than a decade, from 1989 to 2002, she served her favorite organization as a director and more. The Joseph Sams School for Special Needs Children benefited from her leadership and generosity.
She is survived by her son, L. P. (Buck) Baker of Largo, Fla. and her daughter, Jane Baker Adams of Newnan and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.
A memorial service to honor Mrs. Baker’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2017, in the chapel of the Mowell Funeral Home, 200 Robinson Road, Peachtree City, Ga. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 12:30 – 2 p.m. prior to the service. A graveside committal will be held immediately following.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to The Joseph Sam’s School, 280 Brandywine Blvd., Fayetteville, Ga. 30214, www.http://josephsamsschool.com.
