Frances Hyla Baxter

Frances Hyla Baxter, 93 years old, died September 4, 2009 in Port Charlotte, Florida. Frances was born June 10, 1916 in Martinsville, Indiana, to Joseph Lemuel Moore and Leona Grace Lewis Moore. She moved to Grand Ledge, Michigan and Graduated from Grand Ledge High School as a Valedictorian. In 1935 she enrolled in post graduate, business courses and met Clayton Warner Baxter, who she married, April 11, 1937.

Shortly after her marriage, they moved to Lansing, Michigan. In 2003, she moved to Port Charlotte, Florida to be closer to her son. Her Working Career started at the Harry Culp Insurance Company, as a bookkeeper and then to the Auto Owner Insurance Agency. For several years she maintained the accounts for her husband's business, involving roofing, garage construction, home remodeling and kitchens. Later she worked for the Oldsmobile division in the clerical department, retiring in 1976. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church since 1970, transferring from Mt. Hope Methodist Church. She attended, First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte. Frances was an avid reader, gardener, world traveler loving wife, mother and friend. She was an excellent communicator, highly spiritual and always singing unto the Lord.

Survivors include her husband, of 72 years, Clayton W. Baxter; daughter, Marilyn J. Bateman: a son Bruce E. Janet M. Baxter, 6 grandchildren, Kendall L. Bateman, Paul J. Kelly Bateman, Keith W. Rebecca Bateman, Cheryl L. James Bondbright, David A. Kelly Baxter, Robert A. Anna Baxter: 13 great grandchildren, Paul J. Bateman Jr., Charlene J. Bateman, Hayden W. Bateman, Kendrick M. Bateman, Arianna J. Bateman, Gaylen J. Bateman, Alyssa L. Bondbright, Jared L. Bondbright, Jacob M. Baxter, Scott W. Baxter, Thomas L. Greenwood, Elijah A. Baxter, and Isabelle A. Baxter. Also surviving are two sisters, Janet Kern of Eaton Rapids, Michigan and Joyce Becton of Marietta, Georgia and one brother, Ronald Moore. Frances was preceded in death by 2 grandsons, Jeffrey A. Bateman and Steven L. Bateman, her parents, brothers, Charles Moore and Robert Moore and sister, Irene Hartman and Eileen Mull and her son- in-law, Kenneth L. Bateman.

A local memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte 2230 Hariet Street, Port Charlotte, Florida.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2009 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Funeral services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lansing, Michigan on September 18, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. Frances will be lying in state from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Lunch will follow the Interment.

It is suggested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte, Florida or Trinity United Methodist Church in Lansing, Michigan or TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care at 5955 Rand Blvd. Sarasota, Florida 34238.

Arrangements by Kays- Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel. Please visit the online tribute for Frances Hyla Baxter at www.kays-ponger.com