Mary Baxter Obituary

Mary completed her life's missions on Saturday, September 18th, 2023, in her home in Lawrence, Kansas with a loving family by her side. She was born in Searcy, Arkansas on September 10, 1938 to Albert Richard and Lizzie Bell (Carter) Harrison.

Her younger years found her living in Desoto, Kansas in the 1950s where her parents worked for the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant. It was there that she met Delbert Baxter and they were married in June of 1958 after he returned from serving in the army in Korea. They raised two sons, Chet and Timothy. Delbert passed away on June 17, 2011.

Her journey in life encompassed many wonderful adventures that brought a positive impact on the lives of her large family of "friends." She was a loving, caring spirit that spent long hours being in service to others. She lived life with an unstoppable passion to enjoy God's world and to leave it some sweet memories of her 85 years on it.

Mary and Delbert sponsored children in academic successes, career achievements, and were very active in missions that gave people and groups purpose, hope, faith and the gospel of Jesus Christ. She had a servant's heart which showed in her community services that encompassed the Community Village of Lawrence, the Senior Center, voting polls, paper and phone book deliveries, and one of her favorites was being a school crossing guard.

Mary was supportive of the local music and arts being actively involved in years of square dancing, round dancing, and attending amazing plays at the Lied Center in Lawrence, Kansas. She and Delbert visited all the states in the United States and managed to tour 13 countries of the world.

Mary is survived by her oldest son Chet Bunce (Treva), grandson C.J., son Timothy Baxter, niece Joyce Pipes, and many other friends and relatives.

Donations can be made to the Delbert M. & Mary M. Baxter Memorial Endowment Fund which was created in 2011 for the purpose of granting scholarships to students attending Southern Baptist colleges, universities and seminaries. The Christian Higher Education Commission shall recommend students.

For memorial gifts, checks should be made out to the Kansas-Nebraska Southern Baptist Foundation (or KNSBF) and noted for the Delbert & Mary Baxter Memorial Fund. Checks should then be mailed to 5410 SW St, Topeka, KS 66606.

Celebration of Life Memorial Service will take place 11:00 am October 21, 2023 at First Southern Baptist Church, 4300 W 6th St, Lawrence, Kansas.