Joe E. Baxter

Joe E. Baxter September 6, 1924 - February 22, 2014 Joe E. Baxter, of Waco, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2014 at his residence. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, at Lake Shore Baptist Church with Dr. Bill Hinson and Rev. Dorisanne Cooper officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, February 24, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. 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 ten years. In 1963 Joe began a distinguished career of 50 years with Success Motivation Institute where he developed and supervised the international marketing organization for the company which distributed their products in over 60 countries. During that time Joe and Bessie were able to visit all seven continents and over 100 countries. 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, TX; a daughter, Vickie Connally and husband David of Rockwall, TX; a son, Jody Baxter and wife Cynthia of Santa Cruz, CA; three grandchildren, Shawn Connally, Danu Schoeck and Atea Baxter; one sister in Tennessee and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, 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 % Baylor University, 1 Bear Place, #97050, Waco, TX 76798, or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at http://www.whbfamily.com/.