Lennie Johnson

Baxter

Obituary

Mrs. Lennie Johnson Baxter, 84, of Tifton, Georgia, died Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at Maple Court Senior Care Center. A graveside funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2020, at Telfair Memorial Gardens in McRae. The Rev. Joseph L. Crumley will officiate. Mrs. Baxter was born on October 6, 1936, in Towns, Georgia to the late Leonard Johnson and Johnnie Livingston Johnson O'Quinn. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Clifton Arthur Baxter, one brother, and two sisters.

Mrs. Baxter was a dedicated teacher who spent over thirty years educating children in the state of Georgia. The majority of her career was spent with the Sumter County School District. Many students recall Mrs. Baxter and say that she left a lasting impression on them. Mrs. Baxter received her Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Southern University and her Masters in Education degree from Georgia Southwestern University. During her tenure as an educator, Mrs. Baxter fostered many friendships with her fellow teachers. This comradery led to many fun and laughter-filled trips with her colleagues. Additionally, she enjoyed riding motorcycles with her husband and their motorcycle group. Grandchildren remember how Mrs. Baxter (Nana) wore Estee Lauder Beautiful perfume and always left the perfumed powder unattended for her granddaughters to enjoy.


Alongside her husband, Mrs. Baxter enjoyed hours of visiting with Gary and Cary in both Warner Robins and Tifton. These visits always included recalling fond and oftentimes humorous memories from their childhood. Through her distinct facial expressions and her tone, many recall Mrs. Baxter's transparency as she made it abundantly clear how she felt in any given moment. In a world where many remain guarded, she was always ready with unreserved words of truth and spoke in sincere earnestness to all who visited with her.

Mrs. Baxter is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Tina Baxter of Tifton and Cary and Carol Baxter of Perry; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Jessica and Gant Graves, Shelley and Luke Gordon, Melissa Baxter, Matthew Baxter, Stephen Baxter, Walter and Lauren Baxter, and Clifton Baxter; and four great-grandchildren, Avera Graves, Jack Graves, Lily Baxter, and Harrison Gordon.