Jewell Baxter,

BAXTER, Mr. Jewell, Sr., - Age 66, passed away Saturday, September 3, 2011 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 12, 2011 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11 a.m. Pastor Gregory Cavette officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 10:30 a.m. Monday. Mr. Baxter will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 10-6PM Sunday. Mr. Jewell Baxter, Sr. was born on January 7, 1945 in Flint, Michigan, the first born of the late Matthew and Helen Baxter, Sr. Jewell met the love of his life, Linda Faye Echols in 1981 while working at Buick, a division of General Motors and later married on August 28, 1982. They enjoyed 29 years of boundless love and companionship until his passing. Jewell attended school in the Flint school district, graduating from Flint Central High School, “Class of 1963.” Jewell was a great football player and athlete throughout his years in school and as an adult. He dearly loved the game. He earned two varsity letters in football and three in track from Central. He was one of Central’s principal football players, dominating his positions as halfback and middle linebackers as number “41.” He aided Central in obtaining victories in City, Valley and annual rivalry games against Flint Northern High School. Jewell obtained a scholarship for football to Ferris State University in 1963. He later left to be gainfully employed with General Motors. Jewell remained active in football, competitively playing semi-pro football for the Flint Sabers as a middle line-backer and was instrumental in leading the team to capturing championships in the 70’s. He also played flag football for Greene Home for Funerals until retiring from competitive football in 1978. Jewell gave back as much as he received from football. He held assistant coaching positions in elementary and junior high school football in the Beecher School district and at Flint Central High School. He was also the head coach for McKinley Middle School for a season. He was currently coaching his grandson, Avion, with developing his football skills. Jewell was a diehard athlete and competitor. He competed in boxing at Berston Field House as a heavyweight in the 70’s. Jewell was an avid fisherman. He never missed or turned down an opportunity to fish and often shared his catch with others. He would collaborate daily on fishing strategies with good friend and brother-in-law, Jimmy. He would often go fishing with family and friends on his boat, walleye fishing with cousin, Gregory; pan fishing with friend, Ronny; fishing in Alabama with his father and brother-in-law, Ben Sr. and Ben Jr. and in Genesee County with his sons. Jewell excelled at playing chess. He studied different strategies, often beating family and friends doing friendly matches. Jewell was also an excellent cook and blessed all who came to his home with his masterful and tasty down home dishes, especially his famous ribs. Jewell was employed by General Motors for 36 years, retiring in 1999. He belonged to UAW Locals 599 and 659. He held positions in the foundry, as a line worker and semi-truck driver for Buick. He took great pride in mastering his profession as a truck driver and drove semi-trucks for 15 of his last years at Buick. Jewell always demonstrated as strong work ethic, rarely ever missing a day of work. Working hard and doing your best was traits that he stressed to all of his children and grandchildren. Jewell loved his children to no end. He cherished every moment that he was in their presence, regardless of the circumstance. He equally loved his grandchildren and often boasted about them and the promise they held for the future. He always encouraged, supported and praised the endeavors of all his children, grandchildren and the children of others. He was a source of inspiration to them. He strongly believed in the saying, “Where there is a will, there is a way.” Jewell was a loyal and loving husband; phenomenal father and grandfather; loving brother, uncle, cousin and nephew; and good friend. You were blessed to have him in your corner. His indomitable spirit, infectious laughter, quick wit and jovial presence will be sorely missed by all who were blessed to know and love him. Mr. Jewell Baxter, Sr. he leaves to cherish his precious memory: Loving and devoted wife, Linda Faye Baxter; 2 daughters, Kimberly (Arnold) Brown and Regina Baxter, both of Flint; 5 sons, Jewell Jr., Sean and Henry Baxter, all of Flint, Idris (Megan) Echols of Grand Blanc, MI, and Dr. Justin Echols of Atlanta, GA; 12 grandchildren, Idris, Avion, Daryl, Tilia, Mia, Satoria, Brea, Ashanti and Triniti, Kendall, Sheonna and Gabrielle, all of Flint; dear sister, Linda Darlene Baxter-Hudson of Los Angeles, CA; sisters, Angie Marshall and Sandy (Freddie) Brown, both of Flint, MI; brother, Michael (LaDonna) Burks of Montgomery, AL; brother-in-laws, Ben (Alice) Echols, Jr. and Anthony (Lisa) Echols and Deacon James (Carol) Hudson, all of Flint; sister-in-law, Deborah Barton; father and mother-in-law, Ben and Dorothy Echols, Sr. of Tuscumbia, AL; special nieces, Margo and Kelly Hudson of Los Angeles, CA; aunts, Alice Lee and Carol McFadden, both of Flint, Jesse (Charles) Crouther of Queen City, TX, Jean Robertson of Cedar Hill, TX, Juanita Waters of Kissimmee, FL and Alma Daniels of Grand Blanc, MI; uncle, Leon (Velma) Robinson of Caney, AK; special cousins, Lonnie “Jerry” Williams, Pastor Gregory Cavette and Chuckie Crouther; special friends, Marcelle McGregory, Derrick Jones and the “Old Men Breakfast Club”; and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. Mr. Jewell Baxter, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Matthew Baxter, Sr.; grandparents, Claudia and Milton Clemons and Vasalonyer and Bolza Baxter, Sr.; brother, Matthew Baxter, Jr. and several loved ones.

Jewell Baxter,

January 7, 1945 - September 3, 2011