Barbara Ann Baker Bross

Barbara Ann Baker Bross, born on December 20, 1940, in Sistersville, West Virginia, peacefully passed away on July 6, 2025, at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson, South Carolina. She was 84 years old.

Barbara was the mother of four children when she graduated from Southern Wesleyan University (Central Wesleyan College) in 1976. She went on to earn her Master's Degree in Music from Converse College. Barbara was known for her love of music and the arts, and had a career as a professor at Southern Wesleyan University. She inspired and was loved by countless students. Throughout her career, Barbara coordinated and conducted many children’s, youth,  young adult, and adult church choirs, including traveling on summer tours to provide students and audiences with worship music events. Barbara held a special passion for both musical and visual arts, many of which she believed were an expression of worship.

Her dedication went beyond the classroom. She co-led 20 annual trips to England for students and played a vital role in establishing a summer music and arts camp for the Pickens County Schools. She traveled widely, including trips to Italy, serving at a mission school in New Mexico, leading a mission group of students to South Africa, and, for a sabbatical, teaching at Kingsley College in Melbourne Australia. Another interest she had was extensive work in family genealogy. In order to care for her aging parents, Barbara retired earlier than anticipated from SWU.

She was married for over 65 years to her beloved husband, James B. Bross, Sr. Barbara and Jim first met one another when they were students at SWU, then known as Wesleyan Methodist Academy. Barbara is survived by her husband, James; son, James B. Bross, Jr. and his wife Angie from Seneca, South Carolina; daughters, Suzie Medders and her husband Sam from Seneca, South Carolina, Joy Clarkson and her husband Cecil from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Lisa Harding and her husband Tom from Central, South Carolina. Additionally, her brother, Wayne Baker, along with his wife Linda from Portsmouth, Virginia, carry on the Baker family legacy. Barbara is also survived by her dearest friend, Christine Wood.

Barbara’s great love of family was especially evident with her grandchildren, including Anna Lemmons and her husband Trey, Joy Tietje and her husband Josh, Emily Medders, Dr. Wright Clarkson, Riley Clarkson, Rachel Wolfe and her husband Matt, Sarah Mayo and her husband Seth, and Thomas Harding. She was also a loved and cherished great-grandmother to Beau Lemmons, Nolan and Emery Tietje, Alaena and Bryson Hardin, and Anna Wolfe.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Allen L. and Erma G. Calhoon Baker, and her brother, David Baker.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, in the Chapel of the Nicholson-Mitchell Christian Ministry Center on the campus of Southern Wesleyan University when friends and family will gather to celebrate her exceptional life, and the many contributions she made to her family, friends and community. The family will greet friends following the service.

Barbara Ann Baker Bross will be remembered for her love for Christ, her unwavering love and generosity to others, her deep appreciation for music, her tenacious pursuit of excellence in all things, and for the family who lovingly carry on her legacy. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Allen and Erma Baker Scholarship Fund at Southern Wesleyan University.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home & Cremations, 108 Cross Creek Road, Central, SC 29630.