Mary Whitaker
Mary Jim Whitaker was an exceptional baker and pastry maker in the town of Auburn. She was considered one of Auburn’s finest cooks and was well renowned for her cakes, two of which are her most delicious: her rich chocolate layer cake and her delicious pound cake as stated in “Less We Forget”. Mary J Whitaker was born on the seventh of August 1905, and grew up as a farm girl along with the rest of her family. She was closest with her mother, Mattie Lue Frazier, and her sisters, Bessie and Charlie. Through her years she eventually started baking, possibly because of her mother’s influence, and baked wonderful baked goods for the town and her community. She would bake her famous cakes for her church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and served it between prayer services possibly delighting the churchgoers, but definitely bringing smiles to all who try them. She was so involved in her community that she was once the President of Missionary Service, the President of the Welfare Department, and the President of the Decorating Committee. As a Deacon’s Wife she would help the pastor spiritually by upholding missionary values, contribute to the church funds, and work as a counselor and have a gracious and sympathetic personality. Mary Jim Whitaker was a wonderful contributor to her community through her many deeds and works, and especially her chocolate layer cakes. She was married at least three different times and had many stepchildren like Lizzie, Frank, Hiram, Rebecca, and Josephine who kept her company. In her later years and in her 3rd marriage she was a landowner and lived on Harper Avenue working as a housekeeper, continuing her generosity through her work and furthering her contributions to the people around her. She died the thirtieth of April 1990 at the age of 85 as seen on her death index.
Contributed by Ella and Jacks from Auburn High School