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Karen Baxter Obituary
Karen Elizabeth Baxter (formerly Karen Leech, Karen Gayton), 55, died January 18, 2010 at her home surrounded by her family.
Karen's interest were many and among her favorites were shopping and having lunch with friends. She loved being a homemaker, cooking and taking care of her family. Karen's life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. Her kind heart and generosity were an inspiration to her family. She lived life with integrity and bravery.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Baxter; son, Andrew Gayton and wife, Kirsten; daughters: Sara Brown, Tara Yarkey and husband, Mike, and Audra Hale and husband, Brian; parents, Donald and Shirley Leech; granddaughter, Emma Brown; grandson, Ian Brown; sister, Linda Kallas; and niece, Kristen Emory.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, January 23, at Hogg Funeral Home, 3098 George Washington Memorial Hwy., Gloucester Point, VA. Interment will follow in Bellamy Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, January 22, from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
In memory of Karen, memorial contributions may be sent to: ALS, 7507 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855 (1-800-348-3257).
Arrangemnets by Hogg Funeral Home & Crematory; 804-642-2136 or www.hoggfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Karen Baxter
February 16, 2010
DEAR BILLY AND FAMILY
IM LOST FOR WORDS ON YOUR LOSS.Karen was BEAUTIFUL and nice. I know she is haveing fun with momma flo and callie bug.THE LORD IS SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU ALL.YOU WILL BE MISSED HERE ON EARTH BUT WE WILL BE TOGEATHER AGAIN.
WITH ALL MY SYMPATHY.
SHERRI &EDWARD L JENKINS
February 13, 2010
Dear Billy and family,
I will never forget the first time I met you both it was very obvious how much love you had for each other. Karen and I instantly became friends and over the years our friendship grew even deeper. She was my shopping buddy and we would always buy the same thing and if Karen liked it alot she would buy it in every color! Shopping was our hobby and we were good at it.LOL
Karen and I also loved to cook and at least 3 or 4 times a week we would have our family dinners together. You guys would always come to my house because it was easier than packing Callie bug and all her equipment. I will always cherish our memories together and so glad that we became not only friends but family. I will always be there for you Billy, Sara and Emma. Karen is now safe in the arms of God and Im sure she is having fun with Callie.
Rest in peace my sweet beautiful blue eyed friend. Love, Freda
Linda Tremper
January 29, 2010
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Kelly Sherman
January 29, 2010
Dear Andrew, Sara, and Family,
I was so sorry to hear about your loss. She was always a very beautiful and kind person whenever I had the chance to see her. My sincerest condolences to all of you.
Traci (Hendershott) Pacailler
January 28, 2010
Andrew, Sara and family -
My deepest sympathy to all of you. She will always be my Aunt Karen. If anyone knows what it feels like to lose your mom...well, you know. She was a beatiful person and now her and my mom have reunited once again. You are all in my prayers.
Bruce Pickford
January 26, 2010
Dear Bill,
I don't have your address to send a card so I will send it to you this way. I was at the beautiful funeral service you had for Karen on Saturday. My heart aches for you knowing what you are going through. I don't know how you were able to get up and speak to those of us in attendance; I was not able to do that at Rosemary's funeral. Your daughter Tara's words were absolutely beautiful and from deep within her heart.I know you are very proud of her. She certainly knew how much love and happiness you and Karen shared. Your time together was way too short and now it will be very difficult for you not seeing her smile and hearing her laughter. I know I could not have made it these last couple of years without the help of my grown children and their kids and I know that will be true for you too Bill.
Our family prayer is that time will ease the grief you feel now and let you enjoy all the warm and wonderful memories of your beloved Karen.
May God Bless you and keep you and until you and Karen meet again in Heaven, May God hold her in the palm of His hand.
Bruce Pickford and family
Billy Baxter
January 25, 2010
I want to thank you all for your encouragement. Words can't describe the pain that I am going through. I lost the love of my life. My heart aches. Karen and I spent almost eight years together. We were so lucky to share a pure love that few people experience. Her struggle with ALS wasn't easy. She was so brave. Our house was always filled with her laughter. Love, Billy Baxter
Peggie Smith-Rockafellow
January 24, 2010
Dear Family of Karen,
It is with great sadness I write to you to express my sympathy. Karen was my dear friend in high school and we spent many happy hours skiing, laughing, a road trip to Floida,commuting to college,and just being fun loving teens. She had shared with me her love of Virginia and desire to go back there to be with her sweetheart, Billy Baxter. I am happy to know she got her wish. I hope she had shared her early days of Cornwall NY with you..as she was one of a kind. God Bless her and her dear family.
January 24, 2010
Billy, so sorry for your loss. Roxanne Sears Prine
January 23, 2010
Bill - Don and Shirley,
I am also saddened by the loss of Karen. We were high school sweethearts in Cornwall, NY. Her blue eyes and friendly ways charmed all how met her. She will be missed. Sheldon Stowe.
Barbara [Jenkins] Prewitt
January 22, 2010
Billy,
I'm so sorry to hear about Karen. She was a beautiful person and I'm just sorry I didn't get to spend much time with her except at our class reunion get togethers! My heart just aches when I see such sadness between two people who were so in love with each other. I would just say that you are so lucky to have had such a love in your life that I could see the sparkle in your eyes when you two looked at each other. Hope to see you again during better times. Take care...
January 22, 2010
my deepest sympathy to you and your family. jana freeman bettge
Terry Powell
January 22, 2010
Billy,
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember when you were here in the office taking care of some things. Find strength and comfort in the friends around you.
Terry Smith Powell
January 22, 2010
Dear Andrew, Sara & family,
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Bill, and haven't seen you all in quite some time, I was happy to hear Karen was so happy in love in Virginia, and so saddened recently to hear of her medical struggles. I remember the courage she showed to others in her battle with breast cancer. I remember you all as children, and your mother was always so kind to me and my son - with a beautiful smile, beautiful eyes and such a friendly disposition. My sympathy to all of you during this difficult time. May you find peace in the beautiful memories I'm sure your mother (and wife) have left with you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
God Bless
Lisa(Gayton)Stevens & son, Bryan Gayton
Deb Callahan
January 21, 2010
karen, we've been friends for over 30 years we've had a blast! we were in-laws for a short time when andrew 3 years old and kate also 3 got married and divorced within the hour how we laughed,those get togethers with jane you and i and sarah matt and michael poor sarah matt and michael swore something terrible she would just look like what the heck! jane you and i would be "sipping" our champs trying to ignore them as sarah would sneak up and put some kind of creature on my shoulder she would love to hear me scream- that damned pharat you had as a pet YUK!! you should have been a vet - pick up the kids from school after spending the afternoon at painters especially when we would pick them up and you would have a different car every time remember the time matt asked how come you have so many cars and we just have the one and you said well matt its sarahs daddys business he fixes up cars and we get to use them then i chimned in an said that if anyone needed dirt his dad would have all the dirt they needed once again laughed like "hell" we did have alot of fun! taking rides with cats and them finding their way home who would have thought! i didnt know what making dinner was like without talking to you on the phone while i was preparing it and pausing so i could measure because i couldnt do two things at once, shopping shopping shopping! lunch then champs! we really should have bought stock in andre! the pool and the sun! the "puffing" into the exhaust fan or sitting in the garage on buckets doing the same - ya think we would have run out of things to talk about it was a great ride - i didnt see much of you when you moved but i knew you were there - i will miss you - friend
David Alderfer
January 21, 2010
Dear Bill,
All my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Your love for Karen was evident. May you find peace and comfort my friend.
Mike Gardner
January 21, 2010
Bill, My deepest condolences. I knew Karen back in high school, and had only seen her once since you two were married. She will surely be missed by all who knew her.
Keep her in your heart and mind.
January 21, 2010
Andy & Sarah, Many years have passed since our families were so close, but the good memories remain. With my deepest sympathy, Hazel Ysnnone
Latise Bailey
January 21, 2010
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Amanda Banner
January 21, 2010
Bill,
I am sorry for your loss. I hope you find comfort knowing she is at peace and in a better place.
January 21, 2010
Bill,
I am sorry for your loss. I hope you find comfort knowing she is at peace and in a better place.
Amanda Banner
Marilyn Gardner-Jeffers
January 21, 2010
Billy,
So sorry that Karen lost her battle with ALS. I have fond memories of our high school days. I am glad that you came back into her life and were there to be a strength for her. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Marilyn Gardner Jeffers
Toni Schiavon
January 20, 2010
Bill,our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.Karen will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.Whenever someone met her at the salon,they would always have compliments on her beauty and sweet personality.She shined like a star, and lit even brighter when she was with you.We are so very sorry for your loss.Toni,Richard and June
Katy Feldl
January 20, 2010
Bill,
I am deeply saddened for your loss. Your relationship with Karen was a true love story. Thank you for sharing with me how you two met and fell in love again. Whenever you spoke of her your eyes lit up and there was such joy in your words. I'm sorry I never had the chance to meet her. You both were very lucky to have each other. My thoughts go out to you and your family at this very difficult time. May you find peace and comfort.
carol/tom street
January 20, 2010
Bill our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family..she was a precious person we enjoyed talking with her ..and those eyes were so beautiful....if you needs us feel free to call ...
PAT BOLLIER
January 20, 2010
BILL, I"M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, I KNOW SHE WAS YOUR BEST FRIEND.BE WITH YOUR MEMORIES. EMMAS GRANDMOTHER, PAT
Sue Thompson
January 20, 2010
Bill, my deepest sympathy to you at this time. Cherish your memories.
January 20, 2010
Dear Bill,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We always knew that Karen was a warm and caring person and someone very special. She will live on in our hearts. Ray and Linda Yarkey
January 20, 2010
My condolences go out to your family in this time of need.
Nancy & Russell Hypes
January 20, 2010
A Loving and caring women.She will be missed.
Marsha & Bruce West
January 20, 2010
Dear Debbie and family,
Our deepest sympathy to you and yours in the loss of your sister-in-law, Karen. May she live forever in the beautiful memories that she has in your hearts. The Prophet states - And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
God Bless,
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