Harold Baker

Offie Harold Baker of Georgetown, SC, passed away peacefully on July 5 at his residence at The Crossings of Georgetown at the age of 91. His wife of nearly 73 years, Mary Geneva Wilson Baker, and three daughters, O’Wanda Nethers (Greg) of Pawleys Island, SC, Paula Pinkerton (Mark) of the Middle East and Robin Gawlik (Dale) of North Padre Island, TX, will all miss his loving personality and his beautiful tenor voice. Later in life, his four grandchildren, Jessica Pinkerton Barber (Andrew), Michael Pinkerton (Falisha), Glynnis Gawlik Winfrey (Chris) and Emory Gawlik Hayden-Kaplan (Sam) and six great grandchildren were his pride and joy.

Born in 1934 and raised in Sycamore, GA, he was the last surviving child of Offie Franklin Baker and Myrtie Lee Whisenhunt Baker Bolton. His future bride was also from Sycamore, where they grew up together, beginning as infants, attending Bethel Baptist Church and being in the same school class throughout their school years. While attending and graduating from Sycamore High School, Harold played baseball, sang in a barbershop quartet and won an FFA award for agriculture. The FFA training gave him needed skills as he tirelessly worked on the family farm from a young age through high school.

His generosity was legendary in Georgetown, as he distributed food from his wonderful garden throughout the town. He also took great pleasure in carpentry, fishing, singing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He retired from the International Paper mill in Georgetown after 42 years. He used his skills as a carpenter, learned as a newlywed while working in Tulsa, OK, during an oil and construction boom, to build homes and cabinets around the county, including his own home in Georgetown. He also worked part time as a building inspector for First Federal Savings and Loan.

As an active and energetic member of the First Baptist Church of Georgetown since 1956, he faithfully served as a deacon and as a member of multiple committees. In service to the church, he helped build a variety of structures, drove the bus for many groups of all ages to events around the state and beyond, and personally gave rides to services for those in need. When called upon, he worked on multiple international mission trips to build churches, homes and a communications center.

He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as four brothers, Homer Franklin Baker, James Edward Baker, Arthur Creel Baker and Carrol Eugene Baker and five sisters, Ruthland Opal Tucker, Mattie Virginia Raines, Ameritte Blanch Gregory, and two who died in infancy. Surviving family members include many nieces, nephews and brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Visitation will begin on July 8 at 1:00 pm in the First Baptist Church of Georgetown’s parlor and a celebration of life will be held in the church’s sanctuary at 2:00 pm, followed by a burial at Pennyroyal Memorial Gardens in Georgetown. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Georgetown, SC.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at The Crossings of Georgetown, the first responders of the Georgetown City Fire Department and the team at Amedisys.

Online condolences may be left at www.ridgewayfh.com

Ridgeway Funeral Home of Georgetown is in charge of the arrangements. (843) 485-4242