Evander W. Baker Sr.

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH | Mr. Evander ''E.W.'' Wayne Baker Sr., 87, died Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at his home in North Myrtle Beach.

Mr. Baker was born in Nichols, South Carolina, son of the late Arthur McCain Baker and Doreatha Lula Small Baker.

Wayne graduated from Fair Bluff High School and attended Greensboro College majoring in accounting. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a field instructor at West Point Military Academy from 1942 until 1945. In 1946, he moved to Myrtle Beach, and to North Myrtle Beach in 1948. He was the owner and operator of Baker Plumbing Company and Forestbrook Realty. He became heavily involved in land development forming Bel-M Corporation for the development of Forestbrook Subdivision, along with other partners, friends and family, he developed many other properties in Horry County such as Possum Trot and Robbers Roost Golf Courses.

He was a charter member of the Surf Golf and Beach Club, served 16 years as the Town Manager, Public Works Director and Clerk of Ocean Drive Beach, and was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church. He loved the city of North Myrtle Beach and worked diligently obtaining grants for many of the early scenic, operational and recreational improvements such as early improvements on Main Street and the creation of McLean Park.

He was predeceased by two sisters, Virginia Baker Price and Christine Baker Jones.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Vernell Veneda Herring Baker of the home; a daughter, Reatha Veneda Baker Wilkins of Myrtle Beach; a son, Evander Wayne Baker Jr. and wife, Sylvia, of Cary, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Charlton Allen Butler Jr. and his former wife, Janet, Sara Kristin Kingsley and her husband, Robert, Evander Wayne Baker III and his wife, Maggie, James Ashley Baker, William Miller Baker, Mary Ella Baker, and Elizabeth Grace Vernell Baker; five great-grandchildren, Worden Evander Butler, Charlton Allen Butler III, William Joseph Baker, Sara Corinne Kingsley and Robert Evander Wayne Baker; his half brothers, Edsel McCain, and Russell Baker; and his half sister, Glenda Lee.

Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, February 22, 2009 in McMillan Small Funeral Home, Myrtle Beach, with the Rev. Anthony Poston and the Rev. Jim Mezick officiating. A private family entombment will follow in North Myrtle Beach Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 4 until 6 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2009 at McMillan-Small Funeral Home.

Please sign a guest book at www.mshf.net and at MyrtleBeachOnline.com.

Memorials may be made to Lakeside Baptist Church, 11th Ave. North, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.

McMillan-Small Funeral Home of Myrtle Beach, is serving the family.