Kathleen Ray Baxter, 83, of Matador, Texas, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving children David (Leslie) Baxter of Deer Lake, Kathy (Bill) Varner of Wolfforth, Paula Baxter of Forney and two of her grandsons, Deke (Ana) Baxter of Slaton and Aric Varner of Wolfforth.
Visitation was held at Zapata Funeral Home in Matador from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 28. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 1 at Roaring Spring Full Gospel Church with Pastor Chad Lawrence and the Faith Fellowship praise team celebrating and remembering her life. Burial service followed at the Afton Cemetery.
Ray was born in Cunningham, Texas, to C.R. and Sis Davis. She was raised in Matador and graduated from Matador High School. She married Don Baxter on August 7, 1959, and they were married 51 years before his passing in 2011. Ray and Don raised their family in Afton, Texas, where she worked at Patton Springs ISD for 17 years.
They moved to Matador in 2006 after caring for her mother at home. She then was a babysitter for a few years, which she enjoyed as well as being a wonderful Grannie Ray to her grandchildren. She attended their activities and made each one a baby quilt and many scrapbooks. She was very creative and enjoyed painting and collecting windmill decor. She loved spending time with her family and hosting holidays at her home, as well as taking road trips with her girls or to go visit other family members. She grew flowers year-round and would play a game of cards or dominoes any time of the day (even if she wasn’t feeling well—she was playing dominoes while under hospice care).
She supported her community through her volunteer service (any opportunity that arose) and was a member of Faith Fellowship, where she worshiped Jesus with her loving church family. She had served as the Afton Cemetery secretary/treasurer and president of the Motley County Senior Citizens board. She had also served as president of the Motley County Arts and Crafts Club and was a Red Hat group member.
Ray is survived by her children mentioned above and a son, Don Baxter, Jr., and family of Matador. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors. The family extends special gratitude to Ray’s loving neighbors Jim and Judy Cooper, Motley County Ambulance Services, and her Senior Citizen domino buddies as well as the loving care of her nurse, Cindy Martin with Calvert Hospice.
Ray was proceeded in death by her parents; her three younger brothers, Buddy, Pete and Charles Davis; and one grandson, Dandy.
Memorial donations may be made to the Afton Cemetery or the Motley County Senior Citizens.