Norma (Chandler) Baker

Norma Chandler Baker, 92, died peacefully at Carolina Gardens of Harbison in Irmo on Friday, November 17, 2017 after a brief illness.

Mrs. Baker was born in 1925 on her family’s farm in Clarendon County, one of eight children of Roland and Lorena Mercer Chandler.  She was married to the late Ryan Jennings Baker, whose family farm adjoined the Chandler farm.  They lived at “Baker’s Akers” for 40 years until his death in 1987, and she remained there and managed the property until her move to Carolina Gardens in 2014 at the age of 89.

A graduate of Columbia College (and a former Miss Columbia College), Mrs. Baker was a long-time English teacher and guidance counselor at Hebron High School and Cades-Hebron High School in Williamsburg County.  She also worked in the office of the Williamsburg County Superintendent of Education for a number of years.

Her love of the English language and of Shakespeare, Robert Browning and Robert Frost was infectious, and she instilled that love in countless students who passed through her classroom.

She also loved plants, gardening and remained actively involved in that endeavor until just before her passing.

She is survived by a son, Laurin M. Baker (Anita); a daughter, Kaye Baker Marsh (Ron); four grandchildren, Jennifer Baker Reid, William Ryan Baker (Joy), Colin Marsh (Samantha), and Kelsey Marsh; two great-grandchildren, John Ryan Reid and Eva May Baker; and a sister, Florence Chandler Rodgers.  She also was beloved as “Aunt Norma” to 21 nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at Carolina Funeral Home Chapel, Scranton, with burial to follow at Hebron United Methodist Church Cemetery, Cades.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Monday, November 20, 2017 at Carolina Funeral Home, Scranton.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605; or Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.

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