Mullins-

Maxie Herbert Baker, Jr., 85, passed away Friday, March 14, 2014 at Mullins Nursing Center. He was born in Marion County, a son of the late Maxie Herbert Sr. and Thelma Bruce Baker. Mr. Baker was a kind and gentle man with a tremendous love for his church, his family, and his community. He gave freely to each of them throughout his life, including his fifty-eight years of marriage to his beloved wife, Joan, over forty years of service with Carolina Power and Light and the Mullins National Guard, as a charter member of the Mullins Volunteer Fire Department and the Mullins Rescue Squad, and as a faithful member of Macedonia United Methodist Church.

Mr. Baker is survived by his wife, Joan Smith Baker of Mullins; two sons, H. Bruce (Susan) Baker, Sr. of Mullins and John Paul (Crystal) Baker of Spartanburg; a sister, Betty Baker Cooper of Mt. Airy, N.C., and seven grandchildren, Jayme B. (Joey) Powell, Branden (Sarah) Baker, Tori (Seth) Schneider, H. Bruce Baker, Jr., Adam Baker, Giovanni Baker, and Maria Baker.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, March 16, 2014 at Red Hill Memorial Gardens directed by Meares Funeral Home of Mullins. The family will receive friends at the home following the service.

Memorials may be made to Macedonia United Methodist Church Choir Fund, 402 North Main Street, Mullins, S.C. 29574 or to Mullins Fire and Rescue, 161 East Front Street, Mullins, S.C. 29574.

A message of condolence for the family may be left at mearesfh.com.