Claudell Baxter

Claudell Baxter was born on January 7th, 1935 to the late St. Julian F. Devine and Lucille Murray of Charleston, South Carolina. Claudell was the oldest of a blended loving family of 13 children. Claudell was raised in Charleston, South Carolina. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior early in her life and always enjoyed singing and praising the Lord. She had the opportunity to complete her high school education in Boston, Massachusetts and graduated from Boston Girl’s High School.

After graduating, she met the love of her life, Gene Albert Baxter. They married on May 3rd, 1954, and had their son, Michael, the following year. As an army family, Claudell and her family moved six times around the USA and had a three-year stay in Landstuhl, West Germany. During their travels, Claudell collected various mementos. Claudell was blessed with the ability to obtain employment as a clerical worker in many of their moves. Her last employment was at Madigan Army Medical Center, in the Department of Radiology of which she retired in 1995.

Claudell enjoyed her retirement by traveling with her husband on cruises and many trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas. From the various fruits and vegetables that her husband grew in their backyard, she enjoyed preparing scrumptious meals. She spent time with her grandsons by playing board games and attending all their after-school activities, which she loved and enjoyed. She developed a love of solving word puzzle books and watching baseball games.

Claudell was a member of St. John Transformation Ministries International for over 48 years. She was a member of the Chapel Choir and attended Sunday School regularly. In her later years, she enjoyed listening to the Wednesday noon day service. She was also a member of Olympic Chapter #2 Order of the Eastern Stars.

Claudell transitioned to her heavenly home on Thursday, October 31st, 2024. She leaves to cherish her memory her son: Michael (Kandy) Baxter, University Place, WA; grandsons: Brandon L. Baxter, Brooklyn, NY; Marques (Katie) Baxter, Woodstock, GA; great-grandson: Malcolm Baxter, Woodstock, GA; brothers: Willis (Anneliese) B. Devine, Aberdeen, WA; Nathan L. Murray, Springfield, MA; sisters: Cassandra Floyd, Orangeburg, SC; Jacquetta and Sara Devine, Charleston, SC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Celebration of life services will be held November 23, 2024 at 11am at St. John Church Transformation Ministries International 2001 S J St, Tacoma, WA 98405

Internment will be held November 25th, 2024 at 1:30pm at Tahoma National Cemetery 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042