Betty B. Baker

Betty Jean Bradley Baker, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother & devoted wife, died peacefully on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023 at the age of 93. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 16th at 2 PM in the sanctuary of Zion Lutheran Church in Lexington, SC with a reception to follow.

A graveside service and internment is set for the next day, Sunday, December 17th at 2 PM at Buffalo Baptist Church of Kershaw, SC. The family will receive well-wishers at a reception to follow.

Born on November 14th, 1930, Betty was a daughter of the late Boyd Bradley and Dessie Robinson Bradley. She graduated from Mount Pisgah High School in Kershaw in 1947, marrying her husband Edward Baker the same year.

Betty was a consummate homemaker for her family of four children and her husband who both farmed and worked full-time at Springs Industries. She was a mainstay in the life of the Buffalo/ Mount Pisgah community. At Buffalo Baptist Church, she was a church reporter, church hostess, member of the missions committee, Sunday School teacher and active member of the Women's Missionary Union (WMU). She was an extraordinary volunteer, supporting the Department of Social Services Soup Plus Food Distribution Program and the tutoring program at Mount Pisgah Elementary School.

Active with the Clemson Extension Service, she worked at North Central High School as a substitute teacher assisting the home economic program with a yearly reception. She served on the South Carolina Family and Community Leaders Association and played a commanding role in the shaping of that organization. In her immediate neighborhood, she was always there for senior citizens needing transportation to a doctor’s appointment or delivering a meal to an ill friend.

She was an enthusiastic fan of sports at Mount Pisgah High School, which at the time was one of the smallest public schools in South Carolina. She witnessed her boys attain state basketball championships, all the while feeding students in many a post-game meal at the school or around her kitchen table. Betty Baker was recognized for her life of service by being named the Kershaw County Humanitarian of the Year in 1995 by the Kershaw County Human Relations Committee.

After her husband Edward’s death in 2000, Betty moved to Lexington in 2003 to live with her daughter and son-in-law where she continued her community involvement. She joined Zion Lutheran Church where she was a member of the Grateful Hearts Sunday School class and a participant in the Hilltoppers senior group. She was an “unofficial” greeter at church services. A cancer survivor, Betty participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. She continued her participation with the local Clemson Extension Service and appropriately joined the Red Hat Society, a worldwide women’s membership society that encourages women in their quest to get the most out of life.

In 2020, Betty began a new chapter in her life becoming a resident of Carolina Gardens Assisted Living in Lexington. She made new friends and enjoyed her time at what would be her final residence.

Her hobbies included, but were not limited to, talking on the phone, reading, bird watching, cooking and jigsaw puzzles. She loved sports, most notably basketball. She followed the USC Gamecocks, especially the Women’s Basketball team of which she attended home games while in her 80’s.

She demonstrated a gentle firm strength and loving Christian spirit in all that she did. “Mama Betty” was loved by many.

Betty is survived by her brother Jerry Bradley and sister Diane Catoe (Jimmy). She is also survived by her son Edward “Chuck” Baker (Trudy), son Mike Baker (Cheryl) and daughter Althea Hendrix (Steve); grandchildren Angie Baker, Brad Baker, Dr. Matthew Baker (Violet), Dr. Andrew Baker (Alyssa), Clayton Hendrix (Sarah), Casey Purcell (TK) and Chandler Lamb (Cameron); great-grandchildren Hunter Baker and Charlie Lamb; beloved nieces and nephews; cousins and relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward Baker, son Ricky Baker, grandson David Baker and sister Joanne Nichols.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 226 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC 29072, or Buffalo Baptist Church, Buffalo Baptist Church 6390 Lockhart Rd. Kershaw, SC 29067, or a charity of your choice. Barr-Price Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lexington Chapel and Baker Funeral Home, Kershaw are assisting the family.