Blanche Agnes Washington Baker

Blanche Agnes Washington Baker, 81, of Columbia, South Carolina, the beloved wife of the late Lieutenant Colonel William “Bill” Aloysious Baker died on Monday, March 6, 2023. She was born to the late Leo and Agnes Washington on December 4, 1941.

Blanche was very much aware of her legacy, and it was important to her that it be known. Blanche’s grandfather was a freed slave who lived to be 111 years old. She was proud of the fact that she knew him and had the opportunity to learn of their family legacy before his death.

She married her love, Bill, on September 30, 1961. Their marriage blossomed for 60 years until Bill’s death in November 2021.

Blanche left home at a very young age pursuing a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse and became part of a military family upon on her marriage to Bill. She traveled extensively with her husband to places like Frankfurt, Germany and resided in various places to include Augusta, Georgia, Louisville, Kentucky, and finally where they settled in Irmo, South Carolina.

A son, Tony, whom she adored was soon welcomed into the family.

Blanche had a great sense of duty and always wanted to do the right thing. She was known as a very kind and considerate person. She truly and deeply loved her family. She showed this by opening her home to family members on many occasions; to include a sister, a niece and sister-in-law.

Family was always important to Blanche, and she was always both kind-hearted and very generous in her giving. Her brother Charles expressed that Blanche was very attentive to him when he served a tour in Vietnam. There was always a letter or a package sent by Blanche to uplift his spirits.

In addition to her late husband, William Baker, she is predeceased by her sister, Ann, and her parents.

Those left to cherish her memory, include; her son, William Anthony “Tony” (Nicole) Baker, grandsons, Landon Baker and Tranham Woodard, Jr, and siblings, Shirley Hobbs, James Washington, Mary Rose Alston, Charles Washington, Ernest Washington, Margie Deleaver, Audrey Scriber.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 2:00 p.m. on Friday March 10, 2023, at Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service with a repast to follow the service. Burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.