Bless your heart for taking in a feral kitty. Sometimes they never really get over their wild beginnings.

I've got a big black formerly feral kitty, started gentling him when he was about 4 or 5 months old. He's a little over a year now, and most of the time he's quite comfortable in our household - but he spends more time hiding in safe places than any of the other cats. And he runs away frequently rather than letting us pick him up - but then he comes around later wanting to be cuddled - go figure! Best way to get him comfortable and liking me was to give him lots of treats (chicken always worked!) whenever he'd come close or while I was holding him.

(Cats only need a bath if they get too dirty to bathe themselves! I've never bathed my kitties!! If it stresses Sammy out that much - quit bathing her!!)