Monrovia – Family members and loved ones are celebrating a remarkable milestone as Bade Baker, affectionately known as “Aunty Bade,” marked her 100th birthday on March 12, 2026, reflecting on a life defined by service, resilience, and humor.
Ms. Baker, the third child of Fr. J.D.K. Baker and Mrs. Marguerite K. Baker, is the matriarch of a large family that now spans four generations. She is the mother of three children, grandmother to six grandchildren, and has numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
By By Lovette Tucker & Mae Azango, Nieces of Aunt Bade
A trained nurse, Ms. Baker dedicated more than 60 years of her life to the medical profession, serving in hospitals in both Liberia and the United States. Even in retirement, she remains active, continuing to practice the home economics skills she learned as a student at Bromley Mission, particularly her love for making beautifully embroidered tablecloths.
Despite reaching a century in age, family members describe Aunty Bade as remarkably independent. She is known for her sharp eyesight—still able to thread a regular needle and read small-print books without the aid of glasses.
Her lively personality and unique routines also keep those around her entertained. According to her nieces, Lovette Tucker and Mae Azango, Aunty Bade has even set up what the family jokingly calls her “office” in the bathroom, where she spends time carefully folding tissue pieces one by one. She also enjoys walking around the house late at night, moving from room to room in the dark.
Doctor visits with the centenarian have also produced memorable moments. During one visit, after a doctor unsuccessfully attempted to draw blood and prepared to try again, she reportedly warned him, “If you stick me one more time, I am going to slap you so hard!” — firmly refusing any further attempts.
Aunty Bade’s sharp wit and sense of humor continue to delight family members. When asked how she was doing, she once quipped, “Why ask how I am doing—are you a doctor?” On another occasion, when asked about her age, she replied, “Why not ask me how young I am?”
Her humor extends to matters of romance as well. When relatives jokingly suggested finding her a 90-year-old boyfriend, she quickly responded, “What do I want a ninety-year-old man for? I’m looking for a younger man to take me to bed—not someone I’ll have to take to the bathroom or someone who will ask me, ‘Bade, where are my pants?’”
For her family, Aunty Bade represents more than longevity. She offers a glimpse into the wisdom that comes with living a full century—reminding them that worries about material success are fleeting, while gratitude and faith endure.
Even at 100, relatives say there is one habit she never forgets: thanking God and appreciating the people around her.
