Mildred E. Baxter

BAXTER - Mildred E., age 79, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2008. Millie was born on July 27, 1929, in Lookeba OK to James and Twila Salyer. Following graduation from Capitol Hill High School in 1947, she married Donald Baxter. They were married for 50 years until Don's death in 1998. Don and Millie lived in Tulsa for over 40 years, where they raised their family of 4 children. Millie was always very active in community affairs. She and Don spent many years serving in the Jaycees, where Millie served in various leadership roles, including as the statewide president of the ladies' auxiliary group (then known as the Jaynes). Millie's extraordinary efforts were recognized by Lieutenant Governor George Nigh in 1959 when she was appointed Honorary Lieutenant Governor. Millie was totally dedicated to her children and was exceptionally involved in every aspect of their lives, immersing herself in their activities. She volunteered for and led many booster and support groups related to her children, including President of the Tulsa Pi Beta Phi Mom's Club and President of the Tulsa Junior Athletic Association. After her children were grown, Millie became an enthusiastic supporter of the Miss Oklahoma Scholarship Association, where she served in numerous capacities over the years, from hostess to traveling companion to Miss Oklahoma. Millie was much more than just a wonderful loving mother, wife and community volunteer role model; she also managed to have a long and very successful professional career in management for AT&T, from which she retired in 1987 after 30 years. During and after Millie's career, she was well loved by a wide circle of friends. She seemed to balance with ease and grace the demands of her children and those of her own career and interests. Millie was preceded in death by: her father, James Salyer; her loving husband, Don Baxter; her son, Terry Don Baxter; and her grandson, Joe C. "Tripp" Lewallen III. She is survived by: her mother, Twila "Granny" Salyer of Oklahoma City; and sister, Gayle and husband Wesley Korfe of Minnesota. Millie is also survived by her children: her son, Derek and his wife Carrie Baxter of Lawton, daughter, Jamie and her husband Joe Lewallen of Oklahoma City, and daughter, Brooke Mitchell of Moore. "Mema" is also survived by the joy of her life, her many grandchildren, Ashley, Jeremiah and Jordan Baxter, Baxter, Ben and Addie Lewallen, and Kylie, Jimmy and Hunter Mitchell. Millie was a lively, enthusiastic and outspoken woman who never met a stranger, and was a friend to everyone. She was such an intricate part of her children's lives that she became like a second mother to a countless group of their friends over the years. She will be missed immensely by all who knew and loved her. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at Resthaven Cemetery in Oklahoma City, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m., at All Souls' Episcopal Church in Nichols Hills. RESTHAVEN FUNERAL HOME, S.W. 104TH & WALKER , (405)691-1661 Mildred E. Baxter