Joe E. Baxter, Sr.
September 6, 1924-February 22, 2014
Joe and Bessie joined Lake Shore in 1961. At Joe’s service, Dorisanne said, “He said that if he were to have chosen a church based solely on whether it matched up with his theology, Lake Shore would not have been on the list. But a funny thing happens in a faith community sometimes. You find that despite your differences, you stay. You find a community of believers that somehow you need on the journey with you.”
Lake Shore needed Joe for who he was — a faithful servant of God, who was completely dedicated to God’s purpose for his life. Until the Christmas Eve, he was here almost here every time the doors were open. “He gave the example to all of our children and youth and adults, that you don’t age out of going to church,” said Dorisanne.
Bill Bellinger offered these words at Joe’s service.
I have had the privilege of teaching a Sunday School class here at Lake Shore in which Joe and Bessie Baxter have been faithful members. Joe Baxter was many things including a native of Tennessee who came to Texas and stayed; following many in history before him; a patriot who served his country well; a Baylor Bear who loyally supported the University; and a faithful member of Lake Shore Baptist Church. I am grateful for the life and witness of Joe Baxter and for the witness of his 65 years of marriage to Bessie and I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to know them both. Joe was also a learner. He studied the Scripture and he grew as a person of faith. In the tradition of the psalmist, Joe worked on communicating with his God. In the tradition of Paul, Joe in fear and trembling worked out his own salvation.
On Sunday morning, we had a time of remembering Joe in our Sunday School class. The first thing said was, “I will miss his questions and the way he asked them: Bill have you thought of . . . ?” Sometimes I had and sometimes I had not. Last evening, one of our class members told me that he and another member were going to figure out how Joe asked questions and carry on the tradition because the questions required us all to think about our faith and work out our own way in the journey of faith. So Joe’s questions will continue to bother us, to bother us to do the work of growing in faith.
One recent Christmas day fell on Sunday and we did not meet for Sunday School. When we came to worship, Joe was here and he enjoyed teasing me by saying that he missed me in the Sunday School class that day, but that he didn’t answer his own questions any better than I did. One of the things Joe often puzzled over of late was eschatology, the last things. I have thought several times in these last few days about the very personal view of eschatology Joe had come to and that Joe is now living out that view in which he stands in the very presence of God, embraced by the powerful and loving hands of God. Thanks be to God and amen.
Obituary
Joe E. Baxter, of Waco, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2014 at his residence. Services were at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, at Lake Shore Baptist Church with Dr. Bill Hinson and the Rev. Dorisanne Cooper officiating, followed by burial at Oakwood Cemetery.
Joe was born September 6, 1924, in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, to William and Emma Baxter. He served in the United States Merchant Marines during World War II supporting the invasion of North Africa and Normandy in June of 1944. Following service to his country he enrolled at Baylor University where he graduated in 1949 with a B.B.A. in Accounting. While at Baylor University he met his wife, Bessie, with whom he shared 65 years of marriage. Following graduation, he served as Business Manager at First Baptist Church of Waco for 10 years.
In addition to his love for family and his strong Christian faith, Joe and Bessie supported Baylor University in numerous philanthropic areas and were reqular attendees of all sporting events.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five siblings; and grandson, Chris Connally.
He is survived by his wife, Bessie Baxter, of Waco; a daughter, Vickie Connally and husband, David, of Rockwall; a son, Jody Baxter and wife, Cynthia, of Santa Cruz, California; three grandchildren, Shawn Connally, Danu Schoeck and Atea Baxter; one sister in Tennessee; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to The Joe E. Baxter, Sr., Endowment Fund in the Waco Foundation, 1105 Wooded Acres Dr. #701, Waco, TX 76710, The Hankamer School of Business Endowed Scholarship Fund in the name of Joe E. Baxter, Sr., The George W. Truett Theological Seminary, designated for the Endowed Scholarship Fund in the name of Joe E. Baxter, Sr., both at Baylor University, 1 Bear Place, #97050, Waco, TX 76798, or the charity of your choice.