Ernestine Baxter

BAXTER Uvalde, Texas - Ernestine (Ma) Barnett Rogers Baxter died Wednesday July 1, 2020 at the age of 91. Ernestine was born in Fort Davis, Texas on April 22, 1929 to Joe Morton Barnett and Lura Mae (Ludy) Carmack Barnett of Fort Davis, Texas. Ernestine was named for her Uncle Ernest Barnett, who was a Sheriff in Marfa. Her Paternal Grandfather Rial Barnett, was the longest running County Judge in Fort Davis. Her Maternal Grandfather Condie Gravis Carmack, owned a dry good store in Fort Davis in the early 1900’s. She was raised on several ranches at the back of the Fort Davis Mountain Loop. She had a wonderful childhood with close knit family ties. She and her sister Nellie swam in the water tank and kept horny toads as pets, even walking them with a string leash around their necks. Ernestine was educated in Valentine, Texas at the Valentine Public School through the twelfth grade. She went to school in a horse and buggy and studied by a kerosene lamp, in her early days. She was Valedictorian of her graduating class. She went on to college but decided to return home to manage her Dad’s Drug Store in Valentine, that he had just purchased. There she realized her love of the service industry and restaurant management. Ernestine married Clyde Harvey Rogers in 1948. Her sister Nellie married Harvey’s brother Charles and they had one son, Charles Morton. Harvey worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad and relocated from Sanderson to Uvalde, Texas. While in Uvalde Vickey Lynn, their first child, was born in 1949. They moved on to Alpine, Texas for a short time, then on to Valentine where they had two more children, Sandra Kay in 1950 and Condie Joe in 1956. They were both born in Marfa, Texas. The family moved to Sanderson when Harvey was transferred with the Railroad. Ernestine opened Harvey’s Restaurant, where she managed it for many years. Ernestine was a staple of the community. During the devastating flood of 1965 in Sanderson, Ernestine opened her restaurant to displaced families, railroad workers, law enforcement and 1st responders. Since the restaurant was the only place that had access to potable water after the flood, she feed anyone in need, at no cost. Ernestine cared deeply for her community. She went on to manage many restaurants and college cafeterias in the Texas cities of Del Rio, Corpus Christi, Denton, Paris, Austin and then back to Corpus Christi. Ernestine managed the cafeteria at The University of Corpus Christi (UCC), and then went on to manage the restaurant at the Ramada Inn Shoreline. At this time Ernestine met Wally H. Baxter, a Senior Border Patrol Agent for the Port of Corpus Christi. They married and both retired to his lake house, in Lake City near Mathis, Texas. While at the lake house Ernestine (Ma) and Wally (Daddy Dub) loved tending to a large garden and to share their produce with all. She canned fruits and vegetables, and made ceramic and porcelain dolls and figurines, with her close neighbor friends. Ma and Daddy Dub would welcome their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to come and stay with them on many occasions. On their visits, the kids would learn about gardening, cooking, fishing, crafts and of their grandparent’s love and devotion. Holidays were filled with good food and warm hearts. “Come on in this house,” was heard as family and friends came up to her house. Many fond memories were created there. The love for her friends and family was immeasurable. Daddy Dub was a Mason and Ma was involved with Eastern Star. Ma loved being in Eastern Star, and she worked with them immensely. She was the Worthy Matron from 2001-2002. She was involved with the organization from 1998 through 2003. She was a member of #874 branch in Mathis and continued as the branch consolidated with #162 in Aransas Pass. She remained a member of Eastern Star, until her death. Ma worked at Dobie Funeral Home for several years while in the Mathis area. She was a self-motivator, very caring and attentive, which worked well in the funeral business. After Daddy Dub passed, her daughter Sandy asked Ma to move to Marfa, where she could live out her days, close to Sandy. Instead during this time, Ma took care of Sandy and she gave her life to the needs of her daughter, who was fighting cancer. She took Sandy to her weekly cancer treatments in San Antonio for years, with love and devotion. Ma was very active in the Presbyterian Church in Marfa for many years. She, her daughter Sandy (while she was alive), and her daughter Vickey volunteered to help with many of the duties of managing the church. Ma even would help lead services and gave sermons when the Preacher was unavailable. Vickey attended the pipe organ during the services. In 2017, Ma came to Uvalde to be close to her son. She was welcomed by the wonderful folks at the Veranda Senior Living, who gave her the additional care she needed. Ma lived out her golden years being taken care of and treated with the most respect and dignity that any Senior could ever have. Our heartfelt thanks and best wishes for Tru and her staff cannot be overstated for all the wonderful care, love, and endearment that Ma received at their facility. Ma went to sleep and woke up in Heaven only to see her Lord Jesus Christ, and all the family and friends she has dearly missed during her long life. Ma was the most amazing woman, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother that ever-stepped foot on this earth. We will always treasure her. She was preceded in death by her parents Joe Morton and Ludy, her sister Nellie Mae, her husband Wally, and her daughter Sandy. Survivors include one daughter Vickey Lynn (Willie Robert) Wright of Marfa, Texas, and one son Condie Joe (Therese) Rogers of Concan, Texas. Ma left a legacy of 3 children, 25 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren, with one on the way. The legacy includes her stepchildren and step grandchildren. Burial services to be privately held at Dobie Funeral Home in Mathis, Texas at a future date. Peace be with all of you, and may God bless and keep you.