Eva May Baxter

September 1, 1928 - January 11, 2020

Eva May Baxter was born to the late Junius C. Dickerson and Hannah Neal Dickerson on September 1, 1928 in Dendron, Virginia, Surry County. Eva was the eighth of ten children. She was educated in the Ridley Township School District, graduating from Ridley High School, class of 1947 where she excelled at basketball. Eva began her work career at Scott Paper Company in Chester, PA. She later worked for Bell Telephone Company and Bryn Mawr Trust Company and subsequently retired from Drexel University’s Computer Center in 1990 Eva accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord and was baptized at a young age. From birth to age 13, she attended Fairview Baptist Church in Woodlyn, PA. At the age of 13, her family moved to Darby Township, PA and joined the First Baptist Church of Oakeola. During her tenure at First Baptist Church of Oakeola, Eva served in various ministries which included secretary of Sunday School, Church Clerk, founding member of Women In Action, Senior Choir, Secretary of Scholarship Ministry, Kitchen Committee, Missionaries, and Usher Board. Of all these ministries, her greatest act of service was her call to the Deaconess Ministry, which she served faithfully until her health prevented her from doing so. Eva was also active in her community, serving in the Lady’s Auxiliary of the Goodwill Fire Company, Red Hat Lady, Senior Advocate of Delaware County, and the Civic Association. She met the love of her life, Royal A. Baxter in 1940. They were later married in 1952. Family legend has it that their courtship began with Royal offering Eva an apple; that kind and simple gesture, in fact, blossomed into Eva becoming the true apple of his eye throughout their sixty year marriage. From their union three children were born: Karen, Veronica, and Royal. Eva was blessed with many grandchildren and great grandchildren who she adored. She lived her life devoted to home, family, church, and community. Eva was preceded in death by her parents Junius C. and Hannah N. Dickerson, her husband Royal Baxter, and all of her siblings; three sisters and six brothers. She leaves to cherish her memories her children, Karen Coleman, Veronica Jackson (Jeffery), and Royal Baxter (Joanne); four grandchildren, Anthony, Royal, Tyrell, and Leah; eleven great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; one brother in law, Joseph Baxter; four sisters in law, Thelma Baxter, Janice Dickerson, Elvia Dickerson, Geraldine Blakeney, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.