Kathalyn Anne ” Skeeter” Gillespie Baker

Kathalyn Anne “Skeeter” Gillespie Baker, 81, of Blackville, SC entered eternal rest on Monday, January 12, 2026.

Born in Jersey City, NJ, and raised in Laurens and Blackville, SC, she was a graduate of Barnwell High School where she mastered the skills of shorthand, typing, and dictation.   She worked as a receptionist for the Barnwell People-Sentinel, served many years as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician of Barnwell Rescue Squad, earning recognition as EMT of the year in 1987, was a full time dispatcher & administrative assistant at the Barnwell Sheriff’s Office, and a served as a home health aide and transportation coordinator for the Lower Savannah Council of Governments in Allendale, County.

Ms. Baker was the daughter of the late James Franklin Gillespie and Anna Margaret Albrecht Gillespie.  She was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church of Barnwell and was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  Survivors include daughter Bridgitte H. Gunnells (Perry) of Flagler Beach, FL; son, Thomas N. Baker (Anne) of Aiken, SC; brother James V. Gillespie (Mae Jo) of Olar SC; seven grandchildren:  Ryan Gunnells of Kincardine, Ontario, Canada; Catherine Gunnells of Nashville, TN; Falcon Baker (Christina) of Pickens, SC; Zoe Baker of Columbia, SC; Skye Baker of Taylors, SC; Travis Edwards and Julia Harper, both of Aiken, SC; and four great grandchildren, Aidan Gunnells, Declan Gunnells, Rylan Gunnells, and Lily Baker. Nephew Danny Gillespie (Geri) of Olar, SC and Grandniece Carlee Creech of Aiken, SC.  Her dear friend and fellow quilter Clarice Dyches. Ms. Baker was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Charles Daniel Gillespie and her Niece Cynthia Gillespie Creech.

Her hobbies included genealogy, reading, collecting recipes, cooking, baking, and various crafts including – designing and decorating cakes, making wedding mints, sewing Afghans, blankets, and quilts, and creating ornaments of felt and yarn.

The family thanks the nurses and staff of Advent Health Hospice, Palm Coast Florida for their loving and kind care.

The family has entrusted Dyches Funeral Home of Barnwell with the arrangements for the Celebration of Life Ceremony on March 7th, 2026, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.