Obituary of Kay Medlin Baker

Kay Medlin Baker, 79, after years of suffering various aliments died at home on the evening of Friday, May 20, 2022. Born April 12, 1943 as youngest daughter to predeceased parents, Lucille Blackwood Medlin and Hezzie Langford Medlin. She is predeceased by sister, Sophia Cornwall and survived by sister, Joanne Jones - Gorman, first husband, David S. Lever Jr. the two children of that marriage son, David Michael Lever, daughter, Angela Bryant, five grandchildren, Doctor Michael Cory Lever PED, Pediatric Critical Care Nurse McKenzie Elizabeth Lever, Zackary Bryant, Madison Kaylee Bryant, Jennings Bryant and second husband Stephen (Steve) Baker.

Kay held many jobs in her lifetime, starting in sales at 14 at J.B. White’s on Main Street in Columbia, After attending North Greenville Junior College, she was the director of the Belmont Baptist pre-school, worked as a teaching assistant at Irmo Middle School as well as White Knoll High School. Her longest tenure was with the Friedman’s Jewelers chain where she rapidly advanced to assistant manager of the West Columbia location, her sales leading that store to consistently place first in sales for the area quickly becoming best salesperson in the chain for many years. She steadfastly refused advancement offers to manager position at various stores within the chain. Her last paying job was working as teaching assistant at White Knoll High School with special needs children; several of these children simultaneously broke and stole her heart.

Kay agreed to dance with Steve when they met on December 31, 1981. Neither knew the dance would last over 41 years going from her “bad” dance on the dance floor to dancing a bad slow waltz from room to room of their home. Married February 14, 1983 the couple was an example of “Me and You” against the world. Living in various rental properties and one home prior to current home of over thirty years. They worked in unison to make the house their home on most Saturdays and spent Sundays using shop therapy, visiting area antique malls and other stores often buying nothing, just enjoying the moments and each other. From an extremely cold February honeymoon at Myrtle Beach to nine all-inclusive Caribbean or Mexican resorts, the ocean was always a welcome vacation destination for the couple. Those resort visits served as a means for the couple to reconnect during the last years, using memory games of “What was your favorite restaurant, meal, excursion, swimming pool, or place visited."  These “games” were welcome diversions from her disease. The couple enjoyed a monthly “date night” for many years always enjoying a dinner out beginning at Olive Garden and the likes before graduating to Saluda’s or Diana’s on Devine until disease stopped those dinners.

Her longest running job was wife to second husband, Steve Baker. She was his biggest fan and most ardent supporter often being much better than he deserved. His thoughts remain, “Funny how God gives us what we need, not what we deserve”

A Memorial Remembrance service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, June 25, 2022 in the sanctuary of Saint Andrews Lutheran Church located at 1416 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210.

The family requests in lieu of flowers one or more of the following as a suggested honoring:

Monetary contributions: To charity of your choice, additional in church offering plate or basket of member organization. In lieu of providing monetary contributions: Provide open loving kindness to yourself and others about you or totally anonymous acts of kindness for others without thought of recognition or reward.

South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the “Tribute Wall” tab above.