Obituary: Juanita Baxter Stilwell

Juanita Baxter Stilwell
Juanita Baxter Stilwell

Memorial services for Juanita Baxter Stilwell, 91, of Athens, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, April 19, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church in Athens, with Dr. Faulk Landrum officiating.

Family graveside services will precede the memorial service at 10:30 a.m. in Athens Cemetery, under the direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home, Athens.

Mrs. Stilwell was born in Barry, Texas to the late Dave and Ora Neese Williams Juanita was a resident of Athens since in the mid-40’s. Alongside of her husband, Norman Baxter, they owned several businesses in Athens including the B&B Café. They later entered into a partnership with Obie Wilcox owning and operating the City Market for a number of years. Juanita and her husband Newt owned and operated a ranch in the Bethel Community for many years. She was very active in the First United Methodist Church. Juanita was a wonderful woman, loved by all and had a special way of touching the lives of everyone she met. She loved Athens, Texas and was a one-woman Chamber of Commerce.

Juanita is preceded in death by her husbands, Norman Baxter and N. L. (Newt) Stilwell; brother, Lloyd Williams; sisters, Bessie Moore, Fay Harper, Frankie Craig, Macle Posey; niece, Wanda James; and nephew, Johnny Craig.

Survivors include her stepson, Newel L. Stilwell, Jr., David Stilwell and his wife Belinda and grandchildren Alex and Erica Stilwell all of North Little Rock Arkansas; nephew, Charles Posey, Dallas; nieces, Anita Murray, Purdon, Camille Self, Scottsdale, Arizona; great-nephew, Greg Murray and Matt Murry, Purdon, along with other beloved nieces and nephews, and her grandson by choice, Jordy Costen, UT Austin.

If desired, memorials may be made the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 911, Athens, Texas 75751, or to the Chamber of Commerce, 201 West Corsicana, Athens, Texas 75751