James R. Baker, Manager

At age 18, James knew the funeral service profession was the only career for him. Following graduation from Great Falls High School, he enrolled at Cincinnati College of Embalming and graduated in March of1964. Soon after, he married Barbara Mitchum of Georgetown, SC. Married for 44 years, they have two children and four grandchildren.

Early in his career, James was employed with McAlister’s Funeral Home in Charleston, SC for two years. In 1966 James and Barbara along with R.M. Dantzler established the Dantzler-Baker Funeral Home in Great Falls.In January 1995 James and Barbara purchased Barron Funeral Home in neighboring Chester, SC. James served as president and his wife Barbara as vice-president and secretary of Dantzler-Baker and Barron Funeral Homes until the firms joined Rollings Funeral Service, Inc. in 2005.

James is a member and deacon at First Baptist Church in Great Falls and is a past master and past secretary of Great Falls Masonic Lodge # 277.South Carolina Governor Richard Riley appointed him to the SC State Board of Funeral Service in 1985. Beloved by his hometown neighbors,James was twice elected mayor of Great Falls and has served the Chester County Chamber of Commerce as board member; in 1982 he was elected Chester County’s ambassador for economic development. Dedicated to all aspects of community service, James has also given his time and talent as a board member for Chester Department of Social Services, as first chairman of the Great Falls Economic Development Commission, and past president of the Great Falls Merchants Association and Optimist Club.Currently James serves on the advisory board of First Citizens Bank.

James has always believed that “SERVICE” is the primary ingredient which preserves the very foundation of all we do as funeral directors.

Barbara M. Baker, Manager

Barbara was born in Williamsburg County, SC and is a graduate of Winyah High School in Georgetown, SC and Winthrop College where she earned a degree and certification in elementary education. It was while a student at Winthrop that Barbara met James R. Baker. It was a perfect match and they were married in 1964. Barbara taught school for several years, first in Charleston where James was employed with McAlister’s Funeral Home, and then in Great Falls where she and James along with R.M. Dantzler established the Dantzler-Baker Funeral Home. Barbara becamea licensed funeral director in 1969 and continues to direct and console the bereaved families of her beloved community. Barbara was vice-president and secretary of Dantzler-Baker and Barron Funeral Homes until the firms joined Rollings Funeral Service in 2005.

Barbara and James have two children and four grandchildren. Barbara is a member of First Baptist Church of Great Falls and has served on the Board ofTrustees, Stewardship Committee, Scholarship Committee, and has been a Sunday school teacher. She is also a former chairman of the Great Falls United Fund. Barbara enjoys reading and her favorite pastime, FridayBridge Club.

Michael P. Shaffer, Assistant Manager

Born and raised in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Michael began his work in funeral home ministry in 1983. He is a graduate of Edisto High School, University of South Carolina at Coastal, Gupton-Jones of Mortuary Science and attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been employed with Barron and Dantzler-Baker Funeral Homes since 1994. Michael is also a bi-vocational Pastor where he serves First Baptist Church of Lowrys. Michael is the husband of Karen Tyler Shaffer, also employed with Barron and Dantzler-Baker Funeral Homes.

Karen T. Shafer, Office Manager

Karen was born and raised in Loris, South Carolina. She is a graduate of Loris High School and attended Horry-Georgetown Technical College. Karen married Michael Shaffer in 1986, who is also on staff with Barron and Dantzler-Baker Funeral Homes. She has been employed with Barron and Dantzler-Baker Funeral Homes since 1994.

James Kenneth Mobley, Jr., Funeral Director/Embalmer

Kenneth's lifelong dream of becoming a funeral director began to take the appearance of promise in the spring of 2005. A native of Great Falls and a member of the Junior Class of Great Falls High School, Kenneth contacted then owners of Dantzler-Baker Funeral Home, James and Barbara Baker. Noting his sincere dedication, the Bakers welcomed Kenneth to their staff. Kenneth graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, GA on February 22, 2008 and, as promised, returned to his hometown to begin the apprenticeship for the career he had long imagined. Kenneth is a member of Great Falls Second Baptist Church, Great Falls Masonic Lodge #277, and Chester Lions Club.

Dr. Steve Bishop, Chaplain

Dr. Steve Bishop considers it an honor to serve as Chaplain for Barron's Funeral Home. He has had the privilege of ministering in this capacity for 10 years. Dr. Bishop has served as Senior Pastor of Chester Second Baptist Church for the past 28 years. He and his wife Shelia have been married for 37 years. They have three grown children, Brantly Taylor, Chara Malone, and Jordan Bishop, all who are actively involved in serving in the Kingdom of God. They have one outstanding grandson, Caden Taylor, who brings life and light to all their lives.

James A. Wilson, Funeral Assistant

Jim was born in Atlanta, Georgia where he attended the public schools and was a 1950 high school graduate. He earned a degree in Textile Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1954 then served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy for two years before beginning his employment with Fulton Cotton Mills of Atlanta. Jim found his true calling when he taught high school mathematics. He then achieved a masters degree in School Administration from the University of South Carolina and was an elementary school principal and high school principal for a number of years. The final 14 years of Jim’s educational career was as an Assistant Superintendent of Personnel.

Married to the former Cookie Burnett of York, SC, the Wilson Family includes four children and twelve grandchildren. Jim lost his dear Cookie in1998 after 41½ years of marriage.

Jim is a 15 year member of the Lions Club and has served a term as president. Currently he serves Purity Presbyterian Church in Chester as Elder and Treasurer.

“Mr.Wilson” is admired by his former students and colleagues on staff at the funeral home where he has worked since October 2005.

James Simpson Darby, Jr., Funeral Assistant

Just ask Jimmy about his grandchildren and there begins a tale that goes back for generations. It is no secret that Jimmy and his wife, the former Jewell Elaine Boyd, take great pride in their family and heritage in the Chester County community of Lowrys. Jimmy was educated in the Lowrys and Armenia Elementary Schools before graduating from Chester Senior High School in 1959, attending Spartanburg Methodist College in Spartanburg, SC, and serving in the Chester National Guard. Jimmy has been on the Lowry’s Town Council for over 30 years and is a fourth generation to own the family country store. He is a member of Purity Presbyterian Church and has served as elder and deacon. Married in 1964, Jimmy and Jewell have a son and a daughter and are the grandparents of two granddaughters and three grandsons.

Jimmy began his employment with Barron Funeral Home in January of 1968 and has remained a faithful member of the Barron Family through change of ownership from Malcolm Hardin to Kirk Stringfellow to James and Barbara Baker to present owners Greg and Debbie Rollings.

Just ask Jimmy about his grandchildren; the rest is history.

Andrew Boyd, Funeral Assistant

Andrew Boyd has been a member of the Barron Funeral Home family since1994. Born in Chester County, Andrew attended school in Chester and Fairfield Counties including Blackstock Schools.

He and Elizabeth “Peggy” Helms were wed in 1949 and shared 54 blissful years together. They enjoyed parenting their son and daughter and being grandparents to 4 grandchildren. Together, Andrew and Peggy loved sports and especially attending the Clemson football games and seeing the Atlanta Braves play baseball. Since Peggy died in 2003, Andrew now mostly watches his favorite sports teams on television.

At the funeral home, Andrew cherishes the friendships established with other staff members through the years and meeting and making new friends. He notes that it has been his great pleasure to work with James Baker, an excellent businessman with a gift of compassion for all whom he serves.

Dale Hinson, Funeral Assistant

Dale is the only son of the late Dot and John Hinson, who left their hometown of Kershaw, SC and relocated to Chester in 1949. Dale has an older sister, Gail and a younger sister, Teresa and has lived his life of 50 years in Chester. Dale’s work ethic was established early in life as he worked full time jobs in grocery and textiles while attending high school. After high school graduation, Dale continued a career in manufacturing and is currently employed as Inventory Manager for Compact Power in Fort Mill, SC.

Dale joined the Barron and Dantzler-Baker team as a part-time employee in1998. Friends of Mike and Karen Shaffer even before his employment, Dale says he has learned much working   with Mike and Karen.     He also credits James Baker as a great influence in his life. Dale admires James’ dedication to service and his kind and compassionate heart for everyone. Dale says there is no doubt that James has a strong faith; he and Barbara have always been an example of a Christian life and he aspires to follow their example.. Also friends with Lee and Cheryl Carter, Dale notes that Cheryl’s friendliness and caring are valuable traits to the patrons she serves.

Dale is married to the former Laura Tindall and together they have one son and three daughters and are expecting their first grandchild in August. Dale and Laura are active members of First Baptist Church in Chester, where they sing in the Chancel choir and Dale is a deacon. They also serve on the mission team and help with youth fundraisers. Laura’s parents moved to Chester from Edisto Island about 3 years ago and live just across the lake from Dale and Laura and are a great blessing in their lives. Three dogs and one huge cat named Pete complete the Hinson household. Dale and Laura enjoy riding in a convertible and look forward to the adventure of camping and spending time with grandchildren. Dale’s biggest hobby is attending racing events, particularly drag racing.

Rev. Dale Roddey, Funeral Assistant

Dale is one of the newest members of the Barron Funeral Home staff, but he is certainly no stranger to the families he serves. Dale has been a pastor at three churches in Chester County for 30 years, a trait that shows in every conversation. He delights in meeting and assisting visitors to Barron Funeral Home.

At age 75, Dale and his young bride Nell Culp Roddey have been married for 56 years. They have raised five daughters and enjoy their horses and fishing together.

Dale is also a member of Sandy River Masonic Lodge #207.

Dale says he enjoys working at Barron Funeral Home.

Terry Tinker, Funeral Assistant

Terry  Tinker was born in Chester County in 1947 to the late Roy Tinker and Rebecca Ferguson Tinker.  He is a graduate of Chester High School Class of 1965 and married his bride Linda Traylor Tinker in 1969. Together they are the proud parents of two daughters and 3 grandchildren.  They are active members of Chester ARP Church where Terry serves as deacon.

Terry is retired from the City of Chester Fire Department where he was employed for 27 years, serving as Assistant Fire Chief.  Terry attended Gardner Webb College, the SC Fire Academy, SC Criminal Justice Academy, and has received many certifications pertaining to Advanced Firefighting and Coroner training.  He was appointed Chester County Coroner by the governor in May 2005 and recently elected to serve a four year term as coroner.

Terry is a great asset to the funeral home family.   When he is not at the funeral home, Terry can be found at B&D Tire Company where he also works part time.  He delights inspending time with his grandchildren, vacationing with his family, and helping his mother when she needs him. 

Scott Willard, Funeral Assistant

Scott was born and raised in Union, S. C. but has been a resident of Chester, S. C. since 1982. He is married to the former Teresa Morrison (25 Years) of Hartsville, S. C. and they have on daughter, Melia who recently graduated from Lander University. He is a retired Corporal with S. C. Highway Patrol, having served in Darlington and Chester counties for 22 years. Scott currently works as a Radio Technician for the S.C.H.P. in Columbia. He and his family are members of Woodward Baptist Church where he previously served as a deacon. Scott has been employed with Barron Funeral Home since 2003.

Robert Abell ,Funeral Assisant