Kent County, Delaware - Obits: from newszap.com ************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Melinda Jarvis Devereaux ************************************************************************** * Deacon Hilton Baines Services for Deacon Hilton Baines, 91, of Little Creek were held Monday, June 2, at Second Baptist Church, Dover. Mr. Baines died Tuesday, May 27, 2003, at Shore Memorial Hospital, Nassawadox, Va. Mr. Baines was born Dec. 25, 1911, in Painter, Va., one of 12 children of the late Robert and Olivia Harmon Baines. He attended public school in Northampton County, Va. While he did not further his education, he ensured that his children understood its value. As a young man, Mr. Baines was united in holy matrimony to the late Clarease Dillard, and from this union five sons were born, two of whom, Hilton G.R. and Lowell V., preceded him in death. In search of a better life for his family, he left Virginia and moved to Delaware where he found employment during the winter months at Newcomb and Hands Oyster Co., Port Mahon, for more than 20 years. During the summer months, he worked with John “Jack” Pleasanton as a crabber and deckhand for 15 years. He worked for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for more than 25 years before his retirement. He also served as a foster parent for more than 40 years. He derived a great deal of pleasure from working in his garden, fishing and crabbing, and being “Mr. Fix-It” at home. He was an avid hunter, and was known far and wide for his outstanding rabbit dogs. His family and friends remember him as having a strong work ethic, as an advocate for education and for his altruism. He was devoted to the foster children that came into his home and developed a special bond with them. He was active and lucid to the very end of his life, and for this, his family and friends give all praise to God. Mr. Baines became a Christian at an early age, was baptized and became a member of New Allen Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church, Franktown, Va. When he moved his family to Delaware, he joined the Union Baptist Church and remained there for many years before becoming a founding member of Second Baptist Church. He remained a faithful member of Second Baptist Church, always ready to serve, until his health began failing. His proudest moment was in 1996, when he was ordained a deacon. He enjoyed working around the church, helping with the many building projects. He could be often heard around the church humming one of the traditional spiritual songs he so loved. He is survived by his wife, Leonia Francis Baines; three sons and their wives, Robert and Margaret Baines of Dover, Jaines and Eddie Baines of Chicago and Dr. Tyrone and Shereatha Baines of Durham, N.C.; and two stepsons, Ross Wilson of New York City and Alonzo Collins of Las Vegas. Mr. Baines also is survived by two step-daughters and a stepson-in-law, Eleanor Wilson of New Providence, N.J., and Margaret Collins Leonard and Melton Leonard of Browns Mills, N.J.; an “adopted” daughter, Loretta Muntz of Dover; an “adopted” son, Deshon Blue of Cleveland; a sister, Leanna Ayers of Maryland; 24 grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; and a rich extended family including numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and foster children and many friends. Burial was in Ebenezer A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Capeville, Va. ---------------------------------------------------------------