Kathy Jeannine Baxter's Obituary
Kathy Jeannine Baxter, age 66, was born in DuQuoin, Illinois on January 5, 1958, to Jeannine and Lewis Verneal Baxter. She was special from the start, as she was the very first baby born in DuQuoin the new year. After graduating from DuQuoin High School, she briefly attended John A. Logan Community College in Carterville, Illinois. After leaving college, and settling in Springfield, Illinois, she was employed in several places, including SIU Medical Center, the State of Illinois, and finally SPARC as a Vocational Director Provider.
Kathy professed her faith in Christ at an early age, being baptized by Reverend Will Reid at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Hallidayboro, Illinois. At the time of her passing, she was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church in Springfield, Illinois, pastored by Reverend Silas Johnson. Her favorite passage of scripture was Psalm 23.
In 1992, with Bruce Clark, Kathy received her greatest blessing, in the form of her only child, daughter Brionna McKee Baxter-Clark. Kathy was known to be a truly devoted mother and did all that she could to ensure her daughter was well cared for. There is nothing she wouldn't do for her child, or for others around her.
Kathy loved to dance. She loved to travel. She loved to spend time with friends and family, playing cards and being "the life of the party". Her boisterous voice, which will be greatly missed, filled each room she was in, and her infectious laugh was known to lift spirits and bring joy to those around her. She was blessed with a loving heart and was willing to share that love at any time.
On Monday, April 1, 2024, Kathy transitioned from labor to reward, joining those who preceded her in death: father, Louis Verneal Baxter; brothers, Louis V. Baxter Jr. and Jeffrey Allen Baxter; and sisters, Phyllis Baxter and Geraldine Johnson.
Those surviving to cherish and carry on her memory include her mother, Jeannine Baxter of DuQuoin, Illinois; daughter, Brionna Baxter-Clark of Springfield, Illinois; brother, Robert P. (Kathy) Baxter of Bloomington, Illinois; two sisters, Connie J. Baxter of DuQuoin, Illinois and Vicki Baxter of St. Paul, Minnesota; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including her Calvary Baptist Church family.
A funeral service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, in Springfield, IL, on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Silas Johnson officiating. Visitation will be held at Calvary Baptist Church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
A visitation will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, DuQuoin, IL on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in I.O.O.F. Cemetery in DuQuoin, IL on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Pyatt Funeral Home, DuQuoin, IL has been entrusted with the local arrangements.
What’s your fondest memory of Kathy Jeannine?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kathy Jeannine?
Share a story where Kathy Jeannine's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kathy Jeannine you’ll never forget.
How did Kathy Jeannine make you smile?