H. Dwight and Betty Baker

Hugh Dwight Baker, Sr. “Dwight”, born October 11, 1928 in Ben Hill, Georgia, passed away in Lake Clarke Shores FL on November 23, 2014. Dwight grew up in Ben Hill, Georgia and Birmingham, AL before moving to Wilmington, NC and attending New Hanover High School. After graduation, Dwight attended North Carolina State University. Dwight served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged after serving in the Corps of Engineers in Alaska. After returning to Wilmington he met Betty Sue Johnson. They fell in love and were married in Wilmington, NC in March 1955. Following in the footsteps of his father, Dwight went to work for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in the Communications and Signaling Department and the couple moved to Cordele, Georgia. Dwight continued to work for the railroad in LaGrange, GA and Manchester, GA. In 1970, Dwight was promoted to Assistant Supervisor of Communications and Signals for the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad and the family relocated to West Palm Beach. Dwight’s railroad career included the relocation of much of the Seaboard Coast Line (now CSX) right of way to accommodate the construction of I-95. After retirement from the railroad he was a consultant to Tri-Rail for several years. He served on the Administrative Board of the West Palm Beach First United Methodist Church and was a founding member of the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches. Among numerous tasks he tirelessly performed for the church, he helped to remove the cornerstone from the First United Methodist Church in downtown West Palm Beach for its relocation to the new sanctuary for the UMCPB. Dwight also participated in a mission trip to Mexico to build new church buildings and he also served as an usher for many years. In retirement, he and Betty enjoyed traveling to the Holy Land, Europe and enjoyed several cruises in the Caribbean. He is survived by sons Hugh Baker of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii and Glenn Baker of Spokane, Washington. He is also survived by daughters-in-law Betty Ann Baker and Julie Baker, and seven grandchildren, Jonathan Baker, Elizabeth Baker, Amanda Baker Jarvis, Sarah Baker, Mary Ann Baker, Luke Baker and Matthew Baker. Dwight also left many friends whom he loved dearly. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:00 am at the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations in his and Betty’s memory be made to the United Methodist Children’s Home, 500 South Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30030. www.umchildrenshome.org

Betty Johnson Baker, born on August 3, 1931 in Greenwood South Carolina, passed away in Lake Clarke Shores, FL on November 23, 2014. As a young girl, Betty moved to Wilmington, NC where she graduated from New Hanover High School. After graduation, she met Dwight Baker in a Methodist Church Sunday School class, fell in love and in 1955 they married in Wilmington. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Cordele, Georgia where Dwight worked for the railroad. They later lived in LaGrange, Georgia and Manchester, Georgia where Betty was the office manager of the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad credit union. In 1970, Betty and Dwight relocated to West Palm Beach, Florida and Betty became a licensed real estate agent specializing in residential properties in Palm Beach County. She later earned her broker’s license, opened her own office and served on the West Palm Beach Board of Realtors for several years. Betty was active in real estate with Coldwell Banker until 2012 when she retired. Over the years, Betty won numerous awards as a top real estate sales producer and more importantly, made many friends with her clients and fellow real estate agents and brokers. Betty was active in and a founding member of the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches and served for a number of years on the Board of Trustees and the Building Committee. Betty and Dwight dearly loved their grandchildren and enjoyed many holidays, birthdays, recitals, school plays, ball games, and beach trips with them. She is survived by sons Hugh Baker of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and Glenn Baker of Spokane, Washington. She is also survived by daughters-in-law Betty Ann Baker and Julie Baker, and seven grandchildren, Jonathan Baker, Elizabeth Baker, Amanda Baker Jarvis, Sarah Baker, Mary Ann Baker, Luke Baker and Matthew Baker. Betty also leaves behind many friends whom she loved dearly. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:00 am at the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in her and Dwight’s memory to the United Methodist Children’s Home, 500 South Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30030. www.umchildrenshome.org