Dorothy Hazel Epps Baker died peacefully on Thursday night, October 18, 2018, in the Kingstree Nursing Facility in Kingstree, South Carolina. Hazel, who was born in Halifax, Virginia, on June 30, 1927, had turned 91 this past summer.  She will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and being very dedicated to her family, her church, and her Lord.

The funeral services will be held Sunday at the Kingstree United Methodist Church. Visitation with the family will be at 3 pm, followed by the service at 4 pm.  The burial will be immediately following at the cemetery of Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church.

Hazel was the widow of James David Baker, whom she was married to for 47 years. David and Hazel are survived by 3 children: James David (Jim) Baker, Jr (Linda) of Columbia, SC; Cora (Cookie) Baker Adams (Hal) of Columbia, SC; and Thomas Edgar Baker of Manning, SC.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents Thomas Daniel Epps and Ollie Mae Covington Epps, whom she loved dearly. She was also preceded in death by her twin sister Doris who died shortly after birth, an older brother McKay Daniel Epps, and an older sister Cora Epps Rodgers. The Epps family of 5 moved from Halifax, Virginia to Lane, SC when Hazel was 8 years old. A few years later the Epps family moved to Kingstree, SC where Hazel graduated from Kingstree High School.  She took a year of business classes after graduation and worked in a jewelry store until Hazel and David were married January 28, 1947.  Their first home was on David’s farm in Salters; they moved to Kingstree in 1959.

Hazel’s family, including her parents, her aunts and uncles, her siblings and her cousins, were all very important to her. She took the role of motherhood very seriously as she cared for and watched over her 3 children; she was very involved in every aspect of their lives.  One year she served as the Homeroom Mother for all 3 of her children’s classes!  She cherished the role of grandmother to her 4 granddaughters; she was known as “Mama Hazel” to her 4 granddaughters, Dorothy Christine “Dottie” Adams (Angela) of Columbia, SC; Dr. Alice Louise Adams Bonaimé (Matt) of Tucson, Arizona; Leesa Marie Baker Belue (Kee) of Kingstree, SC; and Victoria Elizabeth “Vicki” Baker Mengel (Hunter) of Mount Pleasant, SC.  In later years she was excited about being a great- grandmother of 8 great-grandchildren: Luke Bonaimé, Clara Bonaimé, Sebastien Bonaimé, Callie Adams, Cooper Adams, Avery Belue, Ellie Belue and Henley Mengel.  She was preceded in death by great-granddaughter Maddie Bonaimé.

Hazel loved caring for her home, but she especially enjoyed piddling in her yard. She always had flowers blooming, shrubbery to cut, and weeds to pull.  She loved the outdoors and enjoyed just sitting on her patio or swing.

Also, Hazel loved to travel back to Halifax, Virginia to visit her many cousins.  She especially enjoyed her weekend trips to Columbia to visit her family. However, her favorite place to visit was Charleston. When the kids were at home, she, David, and all 3 kids made all-day trips to Charleston often.  Later in

life, she and her son Jim would go to Charleston at least once per month. She also loved visiting her many friends in Kingstree and Manning to play cards or just talk.  She enjoyed life to the fullest!

She and David were members of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church when they first married.  Later they joined Kingstree United Methodist Church.  She volunteered in various jobs around the church, including teaching Sunday School for children and Vacation Bible School every summer. In later years she enjoyed the Katie Cole Circle and visiting the sick and homebound members and was an active member of the Wallace D. Connor Sunday School Class, until she moved to Manning ,SC, to be closer to her son Edgar in April 2008.  She became an Associate Member of the Wyboo Community Church, where she was active as long as she could attend. She remained until her death a member of Kingstree United Methodist Church, which she loved dearly.

Hazel had many caring sitters in Manning, where they cared for her daily from 2012 until January 2016. Her son Edgar also moved in with her to help with her care. She moved into the Kingstree Carlyle Nursing Facility on January 15, 2016.  The family is most appreciative of the many wonderful CNA’s, nurses, and staff who cared for her there and also to her doctor for many years Dr. Raymond Allen.  Also, her granddaughter Leesa, who works at the facility, checked on Mama Hazel often.  Everyone there knew she was Leesa’s Grandmother!  The family also expresses appreciation to Amedisys Hospice Care of Florence for their professional and gentle care of Ms. Hazel. A special thank-you is also offered to her beloved friend and companion, Sheryl Miles, who patiently and lovingly assisted Ms. Hazel for almost 6 years.

Memorials may be made to Kingstree United Methodist Church, 510 Longstreet, Kingstree, SC 29556 or to Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church, c/o Alice Dukes, 2340 Manning Hwy., Greeleyville, SC 29056 or to the charity of one’s choice.