Mary Elizabeth Baxter

Mary Elizabeth Baxter, 76 of Odessa, beloved wife and mother, returned home to the Lord on Friday, April 28, 2023, after a lengthy battle with cancer.  In her journey home, she was surrounded with love and care by family and close friends.

Mary was born August 14, 1946 in Tyler, Texas to Cletus Alton and Jo Nell Pippin, later residing in Dallas where she graduated from Bryan Adams High School in 1963.  She attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock.  Mary spent most of her career at Odessa College where she worked as a program coordinator for Adult Basic Education before retiring.

Mary was blessed with three sons, Greg, Doug and Jeffrey.  In 1993 she met the love of her life, John G Baxter, with whom she shared a blended family of 4 children. Throughout their marriage they enjoyed dancing, hosting family gatherings and most of all, traveling the coast in their motorhome. Mary was the true matriarch of the family and could always be counted on for a great home cooked meal and cold drink – a memory her 5 grandchildren will cherish forever.

Mary’s family was her pride and joy and she dedicated her life to taking care of them. She was a loving wife, sister, aunt, friend, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a Texan at heart, had strong Christian faith, and had hospitality running through her veins. She was proud of her heritage and remained loyal to her family, friends and communities throughout her life. Her warm smile and personality made everyone feel welcome and she had a unique ability to make friends wherever she went.

She is survived by her husband, John and his daughter Cheryl, Mary’s sons Greg and Doug Steer, her brothers, Larry and Bobby Pippin and David Folmar, her sister, Donna Marie Wills, her grandchildren, Caitlin, Chase, Morgan, Hunter and Emily, her great-grandson, Bradley, as well as many other beloved extended family members.

While we mourn Mary’s passing, we find solace in the fact that she is now reunited in heaven with her beloved son, Jeffrey, daughter-in-law, Robin, parents, Cletus and Jo Nell and Francis Pippin, and her sisters, Deborah Gail Pippin and Darlene Jackson. We can imagine the joy on Mary’s face as she embraces her loved ones in the eternal peace of heaven. It brings us comfort to know that Mary is not alone and that she is now in the company of those who have gone before her.

Her warm smile and gentle spirit will be missed by all who knew her. Her unwavering kindness, heart and spirit will continue to live on through the beautiful memories she’s left behind.

The family will receive friends from 5:00pm-7:00pm, Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory.  Funeral Service will be held 10:00am, Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.npwelch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory.

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