Stephen "Freddy" Baxter

Frederick “Freddy” Baxter was born on March 7th, 1947 in Dothan, Alabama. Freddy was comforted by his loving wife and children as he passed peacefully in his home on September 29th, 2025 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

He is preceded in death by his father, L.J Baxer, mother, Ileen Chambers, and his brothers, Henry Baxter and Felix Baxter. He is survived by his siblings, Claudia Williams, Marion Baxter, Clara Stewart and Elizabeth Danzie. By his wife Carolyn Baxter and his children, Stephen Jarrold Baxter, Kenneth Leon Baxter, Pamela Baxter-Fairley and Phillip Earl Baxter. By his grandchildren, Kristen Gabrielle Baxter, Deanna Alexis Baxter, Myla Monet Baxter and Mason Alexander Fairley. As well as a host of nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

Freddy graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Dothan, Alabama in 1964. He played in the school band, his instrument of choice: the saxophone. He married Carolyn in Pascagoula, Mississippi on September 27th, 1969. He was able to enjoy their 56th wedding anniversary with her before his passing. He worked for Morton Thiokol for over 25 years. He served as a beloved janitor for Gautier Elementary School before retiring. He loved to dance, especially to the blues, and he would never turn down a good drink and good company.

His children remember him as a loving and supportive father who filled their lives with laughter and warmth. He loved to have fun with them-playing cards and board games, often "cheating" just to keep everyone laughing. He was always teasing and finding ways to make every moment joyful. Some of their best memories are of him taking them fishing or riding around in his old truck, making sure everyone in town heard the laughter and saw them having the time of their lives in the back.

Known as “Pepaw” to his grandchildren, he is remembered as a quiet, firm but loving man. He spent time with them out in nature, digging holes for plants in the yard, fishing early in the day, driving his old blue Ford along the beach, ending the adventure with Checker’s hamburgers and Foghorn Longhorn cartoons.

He was a devoted witness of Jehovah all of his life. As a loyal servant, he faithfully believed in a time where God “will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” Revelation 21:3, 4. His wife, children, grandchildren, all of his extended family and friends look forward to the day when they will be able to see him again in Paradise.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Stephen Baxter.