Ethel Lee Baxter is the beautiful daughter born to the late Charles and Geneva Smith Johnson in Savannah, Georgia on September 11, 1925. She departed this earthly life peacefully on April 23, 2015 at the Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, MD.
Although born in Savannah, Georgia, Ethel's parents along with her sister Ellen relocated to New Haven, Connecticut shortly after their births. In New Haven, two additional siblings were born, Thomas and Claretta, and all four attended New Haven Public Schools.
Ethel was blessed with 8 lovely children: Ronald, Sandra, Diane, Richard, Reginald, Bryon, Keith and Kenneth.
As a young adult, Ethel resided in Derby, Connecticut where she met and married the late Richard A. Baxter, Sr. They purchased a home and relocated to New Haven after the flood of 1955. After their divorce, she worked for Winthrop Continuing Care until her retirement. After retirement, she worked for Community Action Center as a childcare aide.
Ethel was a compassionate, caring mother, a hard worker, a social butterfly and when she could, made time to serve her community. Service in the community was a passion of Ethel's and this was seen in her involvement on several committees including the local Democratic Party and Welfare Mom's movement. She was a member of Local 1199 Hospital Workers Union. In addition, Ethel was a troop leader at the Roger Sherman Elementary School for the Brownies and Girl Scouts. Ethel loved music, cooking, ceramics, needle point and spending time with her family and friends including her beloved dog, Buffy. When she relocated to Columbia, Maryland with her daughter Sandra, she became an active member of the Florence Bain Senior Center.
Two sisters, Ellen and Claretta Johnson, son Ronald Johnson and son-in-law, James Ellis, preceded Ethel in death.
To cherish her precious memories: One brother, Thomas Johnson (Avis), one step-brother Richard Gibson, two daughters, Sandra Ellis and Diane Stanton; five sons, Richard Baxter, Jr., Reginald Baxter, Bryon Baxter, Keith Hoff and Kenneth Hoff (Dorcas); twelve grandchildren; Dawn Stanton-Holmes, Ralph Johnson (Kesha), Kevin Cox, Brynez Baxter, Miesha Hilliard, Ashley Johnson, Brian Ellis, Keith Hoff, Jr., Kenneth Hoff, Jr., Keala Hoff, Keara Hoff; and fourteen great-children and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.
A celebration of Ms. Baxter's life and legacy will be held Friday, May 1, 2015, at 11:00 A.M. at Curvin K. Council Funeral Home, 128 Dwight St., New Haven. Viewing will be held from 10:00-11:00 A.M. Burial will be in Hamden Plains Cemetery.
