Lois Baxter Celebrates 100th Birthday
Lois Angeline Baxter recently celebrated her 100th birthday, surrounded by family and friends.
A Government spokesperson said, “Ms. Lois Angeline Baxter [née Rayner] celebrated her 100th birthday on April 25th, at St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church in Warwick, surrounded by family, friends, and members of the wider community.
“More than 90 guests attended the celebration. Entertainment for the occasion was provided by her niece, Mrs. Lottie Williams; the Somerset Brigade Band; Mr. Wendell “Shine” Hayward; Mr. David Bean; and vocal performances by Samantha Smith and Charo Hollis. The programme also featured tributes from family members, including several nieces and nephews, as well as contributions from her great‑grandson, Mr. Ojani Williams; the Reverend Carl W. O. Williams, Pastor of St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church; and her granddaughter, Mrs. Kalley Baxter‑Williams.
Premier David Burt with Mrs. Lois Baxter, Minister of Education Crystal Caesar and Rev Carl Williams, Vicar of St Mary’s Church and MP Paul Wilmont
“The Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, attended the celebration and shared sentiments of appreciation on the occasion of Ms Baxter’s 100 year milestone. Also in attendance was the Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, the Constituency 27 Member of Parliament, Mr. Paul Wilmot, and PLP Constituency 25 representative, Ms. Joanne Ball‑Burgess.
“Ms. Baxter was born on April 23, 1926, to Charles and Olive Rayner and grew up on Morgan’s Road in Warwick. The youngest of seven siblings, she attended Paget Glebe School and worshipped at St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church from childhood, where her lifelong connection to parish life and service began.
“In 1953, she married Cyril “Scorchy” Baxter at St. Mary’s Church. The couple shared 45 years of marriage and raised one daughter, Melanie. Ms. Baxter is also a grandmother to Kalley and Damien and a great‑grandmother to Okari, Ojani, Nyirah, Damori, and Kyree.
“She began her working life as a dental assistant and later worked in sales at Pearman Watlington Ltd., where she received a long‑service award. After retiring, she continued working for several years at the Port Royal Gas Station.
“Ms. Baxter served St. Mary’s Church through the choir and church guilds, represented the parish at the Diocesan Guild Council, prepared palm crosses annually for Palm Sunday, arranged Easter flower posies from wild white freesias, and decorated the church Christmas tree for many years. She also supported education through long service with the Ord Road School PTA, work in the school tuck shop, and ten years as a school crossing guard.
“In 2016, Mrs. Baxter was invited to Government House as part of the celebrations marking Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, during which she received awards from Government House and St. Mary’s Church. Two years later, at age 92, she was proudly honoured as Miss Cup Match Senior 2018.
“Now in her 100th year, Ms. Baxter continues to be recognised for a lifetime of dedication to family, faith, and service within her community.”
