Jessie Lee Baken

Nonagenarian News

This is the story of Jessie Lee (Ivey) Baken who was born at 2:30 a.m., Monday, May 24, 1926 at Cook County Hospital on the Southside of Chicago, Illinois. Jessie was born from the union of Jesse and Belle Dora (Henley) Ivey. Jessie affectionately called her mother “Mother.” Jessie was named after her father. Jessie later relocated to Montgomery, Alabama with her parents and 2 siblings: Older sister Mallissa Mae (Ivey) Williams and younger brother Cleveland Ivey.  Both siblings preceded Jessie in death.

Although Jessie was the middle child, she commanded attention with her no-nonsense persona. Jessie Lee was no joke and demanded respect. No one could get over on “Mrs. Jessie” to some and “Nanny” to nieces and nephews. The nickname “Nanny” was given to Jessie by her oldest niece Mary Alice (Ivey) Currin. The two were raised under the same roof together, more like siblings than aunt and niece. Even though there was a 15-year age difference, Jessie aka “Nanny” and Mary were very close.

Jessie Lee grew to be a courageously independent, compassionate, family-oriented individual. Jessie had a strong sense for family. One of Jessie’s many mottos was, “Never turn your back on family, no matter what…” Circa 1942, The Ivey Family (now including a young Mary Alice) returned to Chicago, Illinois from Montgomery, Alabama.

On Wednesday, December 5, 1951, Jessie Lee Ivey married James Benjamin Baken, Jr. at 3244 South Wabash Avenue in Chicago, Illinois…Together they had one child, a boy, Stanley Baken. Jessie Lee Ivey became Jessie L. Baken, enforcing the “L.” in her middle name. Also spelling out her last name to every one, being sure people did not mistake Baken for Baker.

 Jessie raised a lot of children in her home over the years, but most importantly, Jessie raised 3 sons: George ”King Smiley” Ivey (preceded her in death in 1969), Cleveland Ivey (preceded her in death in 2018) and Stanley Baken. Jessie kept her 3 children involved in community activities, such as boy scouts. She was Den Mother of Boy Scout Troop #773 in Altgeld Gardens located at 133rd on the far southside of Chicago. Block 17 was where Jessie lived with her 3 children for approximately 12 years.

In September 1970, Jessie relocated to the south suburbs of Chicago for a better and safer life for her and her sons after the untimely death of her oldest son George Ivey. On September 16, 1970, Jessie bought a 919 square foot home in the Beacon Hill community in Chicago Heights, Illinois at 1947 Yale Avenue. Jessie loved her little yellow house with white shutters. Jessie turned no one away. She allowed so many to live under her roof for over 50 years (pets included). Jessie’s door was always opened. Jessie NEVER turned her back on her family. “No man is an island,” Jessie would say. “You don’t have to be all buddy buddy with any one person. But you need to know somebody…If you have one or two good friends in a lifetime, you are lucky.”

Jessie aka “Nanny” really looked forward to her niece the nurse, Joann Williams Hodge stopping in for a visit and bringing her a McDonald Big Breakfast, which included pancakes.

Jessie Lee believed in getting an education. Jessie’s father could not read and write. Jessie did not go pass the 8th grade in her youth. But in the 1980’s enrolled herself in Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, Illinois and obtained her G.E.D. 

Jessie was a hard worker, rarely missing a day of work unless missing work due to an injury. Jessie took pride in having worked for the City of Chicago, The County of Cook and The State of Illinois. The latter: Jessie worked 30-years at Elizabeth Ludeman Developmental Center located in Park Forest, Illinois as a Mental Health Technician. Jessie retired at the age of 70, still fit and eager to travel. Jessie loved taking long road trips. Jessie preferred road trips over flying…However, Jessie did enjoy taking cruises with her friends. Jessie traveled to Hawaii, The Bahamas and California multiple times…In the Summer of 2001, Jessie took a road trip to 4 Midwest states, 13 East Coast states, West Virginia, Washington D.C.  and Niagara Falls, Canada with her grandchildren.

For 20 years, from 1994 to 2014, Jessie was an active Independent Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc based out of Addison, Texas (approximately 17 miles North of Dallas, Texas). Jessie was always striving for that Mary Kay Pink Cadillac.

Jessie has 4 grandchildren: George Bennie Ivey, Emmanuel James Rhymes, Zsahanna Keione (Ivey) Greene and Chelsea Marie Baken.  Great Grandchildren: Quiyana Tymir Dillard-Greene, Jeffery Quian Greene and Carmen Nicole Baken. Great Great Grandchildren: Nathan James Maddox, Hayden Nikko Crafter and Londyn Jade Moeller-Greene. 

Jessie’s son, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, host of nieces, nephews and Beacon Hill neighbors and friends of over 50 years will forever remember and miss her essence.

Rest in Peace 

Jessie Lee Ivey Baken

May 24, 1926 – February 23, 2021

1926 Year in Review

Calvin Coolidge was President of the United States of America

Charles G. Dawes was Vice President of the United States of America

1lb of Bacon=47 cents

1lb of Bread =10 cents 

1lb of Butter= 49 cents

1lb of Cheese= 38 cents

1lb of Corn Meal=6 cents

1lb Watermelon=2 cents

1 Dozen Eggs=55 cents

½ Gallon of Milk=28 cents

5lbs of Lard=$1.20

1 Dozen Oranges=57 cents

5lbs of Flour=31 cents

5lbs of Sugar=35 cents

1lb of Coffee=50 cents

Toilet Paper was 4 rolls for 29 cents

A House was $1,313.00

A Car was $360

Favorites

Favorite TV Channel-ABC

Favorite TV Programs-ABC Soap Operas, Oprah Winfrey, Wheel of Fortune & ABC News

Favorite Type of TV Programs-Action & Westerns

Favorite Singer-Barry White

Favorite Sport-Basketball & Bowling

Favorite Sports Team-Chicago Bulls (Michael Jordan era)

Favorite Food-Cookies, Cake & Ice Cream, Yogurt, Hard Peppermint Candy

Favorite President-Barack Obama

Favorite Holiday-EASTER

Favorite Scripture(s)- John 11:35- “Jesus Wept” 

Exodus 20:12- “Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD Thy God giveth thee. –Exodus 20:12

Psalms 23:4-“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”

Favorite Prayer(s): 1. The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done; on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen

2. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Important Things to Remember:

Clean up after yourself!

Clean as you go so you don’t have so much to do later…

Know how much everything cost…

Get a good education so you don’t have to clean sh** for a living unless you want to clean sh** for a living. 

Hold your head up and make something of yourself! 

You don’t have to like me or love me. I hope you do. But you damn sure have to respect me! I won’t settle for anything less!

From: Jessie L. Baken (That’s B-A-K-E-N).

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