Joyce Viola Baxter

Joyce Viola Baxter, age 86, of Summerville, died September 22, 2007 at a local care facility. A service will be held later in Yakima, Washington. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mrs. Baxter was born on June 4, 1921, the daughter of Henry Harry and Hilda (Hall) Brown in Leicester, England. She was raised and educated in England. During World War II she enlisted in the British WAAF, serving in London with the balloon barrage troops. They deployed large zeppelin- shaped balloons during the Blitz, not allowing the German bombers to fly in low and inflict even more damage. During the war she met and married Donald McNeil Baxter, of Yakima Washington. After the war Donald returned to the United States with the other American troops. She soon followed with their son David, also by ship. The two then traveled by train from New York City until they reached their destination of Yakima, Washington. She was extremely proud that she became a United States Citizen and grateful to the American troops that came to aid the British in the war effort. She enjoyed oil painting, writing poetry, and reading poetry to those in the nursing homes. Her husband preceded her in death on November 2, 1990. She moved to Summerville in 1998 to be near her family.

Survivors include her children, Eileen and Greg Larkin of Summerville, David J. and Phaedra Baxter of La Grande, Donald Edward Baxter of Zillah, Washington and Sheila and Robert Wise; brother, Michael Brown of London, England; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Hilda Joyce and a brother, Phillip, and sister-in-law, Florence I. Baxter.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mrs. Baxter to the charity of their choice.