Rose Marie Croxton Baker

Rose Marie Croxton Baker, age 88, a lifelong resident of Kershaw, S.C. passed away Sunday evening, December 22, 2024, at her home with her children by her side. She was born on March 13, 1936, at her family home, Seven Oaks Farm in Kershaw, S.C. Her parents were the late Roy Dendy Croxton, Sr. and Agnes Marie Meetze Croxton. She was a graduate of Kershaw High School where she was the salutatorian of her graduating class. Rose Marie, a high school senior, was named Miss D. A. R. for the year 1953-1954. She went on to attend Winthrop College, Rock Hill, S.C. where she received her B.S. in Education with Honors. Following graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Eugene Baker, on June 28, 1958, in First Presbyterian Church, Kershaw, S.C. She began her teaching career in August of 1958 at McDonald Green Elementary School in Lancaster, S.C. She moved to Heath Springs Elementary School, Heath Springs, S.C. and then she moved to Kershaw Elementary School, Kershaw, S.C., retiring after 31 years of teaching in the Lancaster County School District. She was awarded “Teacher of the Year” at Kershaw Elementary School. 

Rose Marie was also an accomplished businesswoman. When she and her late husband were dating, she began to help his mother in her floral shop, Baker’s Florist. She became a talented floral designer and directed her first wedding at age 18. She continued to direct weddings for the next 50 years. She was so proud of her hometown of Kershaw and was honored by being awarded Citizen of the Year for the Town of Kershaw. Rose Marie served on Kershaw Town Council from April 2001 – April 2009 where she was Chairman of the Beautification Committee. She also served 14 years on the Kershaw Community Park Committee. She was a faithful member of Kershaw Presbyterian Church, now Kershaw Evangelical Church. She served the church in various capacities: Rose Marie was a former choir member, Sunday School teacher, member of the Woman of the Church, The Virgie Estridge Circle, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Presbyterian Woman of the Church.

For 60 years, she tirelessly worked in the garden club to advance the arts of gardening, landscape design, flower arranging, and horticulture. She was a member of the King Alfred Garden Club and Garden Club of South Carolina. Rose Marie held all garden club offices and was currently Club President, working to redesign and replant their “Plant It Pink Garden”, located at the Town of Kershaw’s historic first library. She also spearheaded the design and restoration of Kershaw’s new Welcome entrance signs. In the past two weeks she was honored at Arbor Day with the first tree planted for the Trees4SC initiative in the Kershaw area. One of her passions was designing and planting beautiful personal and civic garden spaces.

She and her late husband enjoying traveling with Christian Tours. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. She loved doing things for others and especially spending time with her grandchildren. She loved decorating her house and yard for every holiday. Rose Marie often said it made her smile for others to get enjoyment out of her decorations. She also loved tending her goldfish pond! Beginning in 2003, she could be found almost daily at Baker Funeral Home. She visited and spoke with families, especially during visitations. She could be found answering the phones at the funeral home or offering comfort to a bereaving family.

Rose Marie leaves behind a legacy to her children; Jacqueline B. (Jackie) Hage and her husband Nazih M. Hage and Thomas (Tommy) Eugene Baker, II; two grandsons, Spencer A. Hage and George C. Hage and his wife Jaclyn Hage; her brother, “Retired Colonel” Roy Dendy Croxton, Sr. and his wife Judith Croxton; her sister, Gloria Ann Estridge; five nephews, Roger Malone (Rodge) Estridge, Roy Dendy Croxton, III and his wife Cara Croxton, Jonathan McKeough Croxton and his wife Julie Croxton, Roy Wilson Estridge and Benjamin Gabriel Croxton and his wife Paige Croxton; six great nephews and five great nieces. She is also survived by a “cherished friend of the family”, Frank Cannon, who brought much joy and laughter to her life. Frank lovingly referred to Rose Marie as “Rosie.” In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law, Jack and Nell W. Baker; her brother-in-law, Reverend Roger Malone Estridge, and her beloved dog “Spot”.

A funeral service to remember and celebrate Rose Marie’s life will be held at 2:00 o’clock p.m., Saturday, December 28, 2024, in the sanctuary of Kershaw Evangelical Church, 201 North Cleveland Street, Kershaw, S.C. 29067. Following the service, entombment will follow in the family mausoleum in Kershaw City Cemetery. 

The family cordially invites you to a visitation and reception at the home of her son, Thomas E. (Tommy) Baker, II at 316 East Richland Street, Kershaw, S.C. immediately following the entombment. 

Expressions of sympathy are welcomed by floral arrangements or memorial remembrances made to The Rose Marie Baker Memorial Fountain - Plant It Pink Memorial Garden Project, c/o the Town of Kershaw, Post Office Box 145, Kershaw, S.C. 29067. 

Arrangements are under the care of Baker Funeral Home. Kershaw, S.C.