Verneta Waddill Baxter was born on June 4, 1935 in Gatesville, Texas; and she departed this life on July 28, 2015, in Midland, Texas.After high school in Gatesville, Verneta attended Abilene Christian College (University) in Abilene, Texas where she graduated in 1957. She spent the remainder of her rich, full life in Midland. Verneta worked at Humble Oil Company (now Exxon) for several years and taught regular and special education in the Midland schools for several years. She received a master’s degree in Education from Texas Tech University in 1968.Verneta was preceded in death by her husband of more than 30 years, Dedric B. Baxter. She is survived by her brothers and their wives, Bill Waddill and wife, Diann and John Waddill and wife, Jeannie, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.In the latter years of her husband’s life and after his death and until her death, Verneta continued to own and operate his business interests. She was an active member in her church, Golf Course Road Church of Christ, and she volunteered with the Midland Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and with the Midland Association for Retarded Citizens. She served as a local and state board member of the ARC; as president of the local Auxiliary and as president and on the board of the state organization, Texas Association of Health Care Volunteers. Verneta was relentless in her determination in everything she undertook, yet she was unfailingly gracious to everyone she encountered.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Midland Association for Retarded Citizens or to the Midland Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.Verneta’s family would like to especially thank Chris Prickett and the Boseckers, Chris, Ted and Charlotte, for all of their assistance and invaluable advice throughout the years, and a special thank you to Margaret Ryan, whose work and advice she greatly valued. We would also like to thank her personal caregiver, Irma Guerrero, and dog caregiver, Debbie Ticer, for all of their care and concern.Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2015, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home, 3800 N. Big Spring Street, Midland, Texas. There will be a memorial service at Golf Course Road Church of Christ Rotunda, 3500 W. Golf Course Road, Midland, on Friday, July 31, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery on Old Osage Road in Gatesville, Texas, time and date are pending.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.,
