Deloris (Oliver) Baxter

Deloris (Oliver) Baxter was born to the late Angus and Edna Oliver (King) on May 27th, 1946, in Houston County Alabama. Lois was born (prematurely) and raised in and around Houston County, Alabama. 
 

She helped her family by farming and sharecropping until she was old enough to attend school and start working legally. She attended Young Jr. High School in Dothan, AL. and participated in the summer Job program where she had the opportunity to travel to Lakewood New Jersey to work for a few summers. She said she really enjoyed it, and some of our family members decided to move up there once they completed the program. 
 

Deloris passed away on April 6th, 2024, at their home in Kinsey Alabama peacefully in her sleep as angels do. 
For those who knew Deloris, they knew her by and called her Lois. 

Lois was preceded in death by her parent’s Angus and Edna Oliver (King); her great grandmother Elizabeth Underwood; four of her sisters Ludie Jackson (Sam); Sue Ford (CL); Connie Oliver; and Linda Jackson (Roy); One brother Nate Oliver (Premature Death); and one nephew Greg Oliver. Lois leaves to cherish loving memories of her with her three daughters: Annie Baxter, Mary Drayton (Palandis) and Cynthia Baxter. Two sisters: Elsie Wimes (Deacon Wimes) and Evelyn Harris (Johnny C.). Two brothers Eddie Oliver (Rachel) and Lamar Oliver (Gail). Six grandboys: Tirique Grubbs (Dedra); Xzerakus and Xzanthus Grubbs (twins); Jacquez Baxter (Rasheta), Eddie Thompson (Mianna), and Demetrius Reaves. Eight Great-grandkids: Inglyn Baxter; Ba’le Thompson; Saniya Galloway; Amarein Baxter; Caleb Walker; Elizabeth Baxter; Za’morrie Grubbs and Marlie Jackson.

Lois was still a high school student when she met and married her husband, Johnny C Baxter.  Her sister (Ludie) and her husband (Sam) drove them to Ozark’s courthouse for them to get married. After they married, she and Johnny C. had three girls together, but they eventually separated. Johnny C. passed away young, he only lived to see the age of 50. This devastated her. 

She often talked about, told us stories, and thought about him. I know they’re up there enjoying each other’s company😊! Lois was a great wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She helped to form the original gospel singing group the “Holy Five of Dothan Alabama” with four other siblings and was one of their popular lead singers. All while working a full-time job, raising her girls and taking care of home. She also attended all major events (graduations or award ceremonies) at school and church. Lois worked as a fast-food worker; housekeeper; factory worker; grocery store worker; and she worked in the fields picking cotton of some sort of fruits or vegetables since the age of 3. Her grandmother’s (Elizabeth) parents were the last generation of legal slaves in this area.

Lois was diagnosed with some mental health issues while in her 20’s but managed to church and pray her way through raising her children with the help of God, her loving family and her faith in God. All her children and grandchildren are high school graduates. Some are attending, plan to attend, or have already graduated from college. Ain’t God wonderful!!! As Lois grew older, her legs and back began to give out on her so she could no longer work so she rotated living with one of her three girls. She was living with Mary (middle daughter) when she passed. She was well taken care of and didn’t want anything. She had too many clothes, and shoes and she eventually told us not to buy her any more gifts. We listened and started taking her out to eat or taking her a hefty plate to eat. Well…. She weighed 174 lbs. during her last doctor’s appointment a few weeks ago…... Her normal weight was around 145 lbs. or less.  She really enjoyed eating 😊 She was spoiled, and she knew it. She was very smart, had a great memory, and she knew her loved one’s phone numbers by memory. Lois’s daily mission was to call everyone on her call list to check up on them and say hi. She will be missed! 

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