Elease (Hampton) Baxter

An educator, community leader, social activist, Elease Hampton Baxter was born in Orangeburg, SC on May 27, 1933. Her father David Hampton was a skilled carpenter, and her mother Estelle was a dedicated homemaker. Elease, along with her six brothers and two sisters, enjoyed a happy childhood. During her youth, she joined St. Paul Baptist Church; as she matured in Christ, she assumed many leader-ship roles and served in various capacities under the leader-ship of Reverend H.T. Williams. The church provided the foundation she needed to be a change agent in the communi-ty. 

During her formative years, Elease attended Riverside Elementary School, where she developed friendships that lasted throughout her life. She completed her secondary education at Wilkinson High School. After high school, she met and eventually married Wallace Baxter, Sr., and they raised four children. A dedicated wife, mother and grand-mother, she exemplified her faith through her living and consistently encouraged her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren always to trust and believe in God, maintain positive family values, and respect others. Addi-tionally, she stressed the importance of education as the foundation of a good life and that understanding is the key to wisdom (Proverbs 4:1)). 

Demonstrating this lesson, Elease decided to continue her education by attending Claflin College in 1968. Her educa-tion was interrupted by her having to assist in meeting the family’s needs, but she was tenacious and undeterred. She returned to Claflin College in 1982, and she completed her educational journey with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education in 1984. While matriculating, Elease was also inducted into Gamma Nu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (ΑΚΑ).

Soon after graduation, Elease began working for the Orangeburg County School system as a paraprofessional. She worked with the school system for over 15 years until her retirement. Socially and politically aware, Elease was a voice for her community throughout the years. She worked on various political campaigns and advocated for improve-ments and services in the West End. Whether a voting site attendant, county or city board member, County Council on Aging member, planning commission member, Guardian Ad Litem, or patriotic member of the Women’s VFW, she con-tributed to her community as well as her church family. 

Elease took that same spirit of generosity and vivaciousness to Marietta, Georgia, where she enriched lives and programs. Over the past 14 years, Elease enjoyed spending her week-days at the Cobb County Senior Citizen Center and spending time with some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as her 4 children. On most Sundays, she could be found enjoying the church services at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, praising God and initially supporting Pastor Lockhart and most recently enjoying the soul stirring messages delivered by her pastor Reverend Dr. Sammie Dow. 

Elease Hampton Baxter was preceded in death by her loving husband Wallace C. Baxter, Sr. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Wallis (Geneva) of Atlanta, GA, Jacquelyn Bowman of Orangeburg, Cheryl Levi of Marietta, GA, and Pamela Sweeper of Orangeburg; her dear loving sister, Sarah Gardner of Orangeburg; ten grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren and counting; a host of loving nieces, nephews and very close cousins; godchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

The service will proceed as follows:

The viewing will be held on Saturday, July 11,2020 at Glover's Funeral Home at 2:00pm until 7:00pm.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, July 12,2020 at Glover's Funeral Home beginning at 1:00pm. 

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