Margaret Elizabeth Baker

Margaret Elizabeth Thomas Baker Margaret Elizabeth Baker, age 102, passed away on February 16, 2025, in Smithfield, North Carolina, home of her beloved only daughter Carolyn “Chee Chee” Baker Nall. She is preceded in death by her cherished husband Curtis “Curt” Charles Baker who passed away in 2012 in Chester. Margaret was born in 1922, the daughter of Ada Lipford Thomas and Abel Shannon Thomas. As a child she survived the Great Depression of 1928. After graduating from Chester High School, Margaret worked in payroll for Springs Mills until her husband Curt, a WWII veteran, retired from Springs. Margaret then took a position with the business management office of Chester Nursing Center where she worked for decades until finally retiring in her late 70’s. Margaret and Curt originally lived first on Nella Street in Springs Mills housing and then saved up to build their home on J.A. Cochran Boulevard, right beside Ada and Abel her parents, where they spent the rest of their married life together and raised Chee Chee to adulthood. The loved to sit in their yard swing and watch the cars go by. They worked together in the vegetable garden raising corn, okra, beets, and cucumbers. They sold eggs and tended to their chickens, and jarred homemade pear and fig jams which we treasured as children. Granny’s house was the place for the best tomato sandwiches around, the best because they were made with yard tomatoes staked up behind the house and tied with old Springs Mills textile scaps. Then they were ripened red by the hot South Carolina sun and stored like treasure in the shady enclosed porch behind their house. PawPaw spent his time building and tearing apart various sheds. They didn’t worry about the passage of time and enjoyed things exactly as they were. They didn’t travel often but didn’t need to – their life was completely full and happy. Margaret’s daughter and grandchildren made countless memories trips to Granny and PawPaw’s house in Chester. Margaret loved music and played the piano beautifully. After Curtis passed away in 2012, Margaret moved to Smithfield, North Carolina to be closer to her daughter Carolyn. During her time at Brookdale Nursing Center in Smithfield, Margaret brought joy to residents daily with beautiful piano playing. She treasured visits by her daughter Carolyn, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters. Margaret laughed out loud at funny SnapChat filters which made her look like a puppy dog or a silly character. She loved visits from granddaughter Anna Kate’s dwarf rabbit which would curl up next to her. Margaret’s body was strong but her memory eventually faded. Despite that, she recognized her “Chee Chee” and told her “I love you” many times, and understood it when Carolyn and family members told her “I love you too” right back. Smithfield Manor nurses and staff treated Miss Margaret with tender loving care and helped to make her final years comfortable. Ms. Baker is now in heaven and is reunited with her Curt, her parents and many other loved ones. Mrs. Baker is survived by daughter Carolyn Baker Nall of Smithfield, NC, granddaughters Anna Kate Nall of Smithfield, NC and Molly Nall Howard of High Point, NC, and great-granddaughters Anna Howard and Gracie Howard of High Point, NC. Mrs. Baker is also survived by niece Linda Fordham of Chester, SC and cousin Frances Ann Thompson, also of Chester. Barron Funeral Home of Chester lovingly assisted with funeral arrangements. Family and friends are invited to a graveside service presided over by Reverend Clay Waldrip this Friday, February 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Chester Memorial Gardens where Margaret will be laid to rest beside her husband. Memorial contributions can be made to Chester First Baptist 102 Church Street, Chester, SC 29706, or online at www.fbcchester.com through their website. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com