Martha Mae Baxter

Martha Mae Baxter, age 69, passed away Monday, May 22, 2017 in Lakeland. Born February 8, 1948 in Fort Meade, she was the daughter of the late Valeen and Floerita (Smith) Thomas. Martha retired from the Polk County School Board where she worked for many years as a Food Service Assistant at Bartow High School. She was also a member of Turning Point Worship Center in Bartow. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by two sisters: Brenda Tyson and Donna Thompson. She is survived by her husband, of 50 years, Scottie Baxter, her children: Retha Griner (Jeffrey), Rhonda Tillman (James), Sharlin Griner (Chad), Scottie L. Baxter (Valerie) and Phillip Baxter (Melissa). She also leaves behind her siblings: Betty Thigpen, Emma Thigpen, Gale Hamilton (Steve), Robert Thomas (Delores), William Manning (Sharon), Dale Manning, fourteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 27, 2017 from 10am to 11am at Turning Point Worship Center in Bartow. Funeral services will follow at 11:00am at the church.