Mary "Polly" Baker

Williston, SC/Arden, NC - Mary Polly Blassingame Screven Baker, 98, of Williston, SC and Arden, NC, went to be with her Heavenly Father Monday, October 29, 2007 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals, surrounded by her loving family. Polly was born April 4, 1909, the daughter of the late James William and Frances L. Cleveland Screven. She was born at her childhood home of Hilltop in Tryon, NC. As an infant, she was baptized at the Church of Advent in Spartanburg, SC, where she attended church with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Cleveland. She attended Chatham Episcopal Institute in Chatham, VA, and also Salem Academy in Winston-Salem, NC before returning home to finish high school at Tryon in 1928. There, she was a member of the Church of Holy Cross, where she taught Sunday School. After graduation, she attended Georgetown University in Washington, DC. She married Charles M. Baker of Barnwell, SC on December 31, 1937 and later moved to Williston, SC. She was the oldest surviving member of the Holy Apostles Episcopal Church. She resided in Williston for thirty-five years before moving to Savannah, GA for twelve years. It was in Savannah that Polly raised three of her grandchildren. She was lovingly referred to as Grandma by all of the kids in the neighborhood. In 1986, she moved to Arden, NC, where she resided until returning to Williston in 2005. Polly was a loving mother and grandmother. Everyone who knew her was touched by her kind, sweet and gentle nature. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles; a son, William James Baker; two brothers: William Will Screven and John Screven; and three sisters: Ellen Nellie Cleveland, Amelia Screven and Priscilla Chapman. Those left to cherish her memory are her children: James Preston Patterson of Hendersonville, NC, Charles M. Baker, III and wife Irene of Highland, CA, Julia A. Baker Ravenscroft and husband Robert of Williston, SC and Jeannie C. Baker Tyler of Arden; sister, Georgia Screven Pack of Tryon; 14 grandchildren: Charles M. Baker, IV and wife Shannon, Cheryl Baker Van Gelder and husband Doug, James Baker and wife Teri, David Baker and wife Joyce, Julie Ravenscroft, Robbie Ravenscroft, Shellie Ravenscroft Madaus and husband Scott, Cecil Tyler, Jr. and wife Patti, Hope Tyler, Lyn Tyler, Thomas Baker and wife Debbie, Carey, Kim and Robin Patterson; and 24 great-grandchildren. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the physicians and staff of the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals for the care shown to Polly. Memorial donations may be made to the Mission Childrens Hospital, PO Box 5363, Asheville, NC 28813 or to: Holy Apostles Episcopal Church School, P.O. Box 1051, Barnwell, SC 29812. e-mail address, school@holyapostlesbarnwe ll.org Pollys family takes comfort in knowing that she is now their guardian angel, and her presence will always be felt. Online condolences may be e-mailed to the family by going to Funeral Schedule at www.andersrice.com.