Christine (Baxter) Jones

Christine Baxter Jones, a devoted educator, faithful servant of God, compassionate community leader, and lifelong advocate for family and service, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. She was born on November 14, 1931, in Parkton, North Carolina, to John and Ella Baxter, and was raised in a home grounded in faith, discipline, and love.

Christine was preceded in death by her beloved sisters, Rose Baxter Closs and Katie Whitley, and her brothers, John “Bobby” Baxter and Theodore Baxter. She now rests in eternal peace with her parents and siblings, having heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

Christine graduated from Shepherd High School in Zebulon, North Carolina, in 1950. A proud graduate of Shaw University, Class of 1954, she dedicated her professional life to education. She began her distinguished 30-year career as an English teacher in the Prince George’s County Public School System in Maryland, where she nurtured generations of students. Christine believed education was both a calling and a ministry, and she taught with the conviction that knowledge, preparation, and accountability were gifts meant to honor God.

After retiring from the classroom in 1987, Christine returned home to North Carolina, where her service continued with unwavering purpose. She remained a tireless advocate for children, families, and community advancement, believing deeply that faith without works is dead (James 2:17), and that Christians are called to serve.

Christine was a faithful and devoted member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Wendell, North Carolina. She loved the Lord wholeheartedly and lived her life in submission to God as her Master. Her faith was not performative—it was practiced daily through obedience, service, and discipline. She trusted God’s Word, relied on prayer, and carried herself with the quiet confidence of someone who knew whom she belonged to.

She believed that God was the head of her life and ordered her decisions accordingly. Christine often reminded others—through both word and example—“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1), and she lived with the assurance that God would provide, guide, and correct when needed.

Christine was a Life Member of the Wendell-Wake Chapter of the NAACP, where she oversaw the chapter’s annual collegiate scholarship program, ensuring students were supported not only financially, but morally and spiritually. She encouraged young people to walk uprightly, prepare diligently, and trust God in all things.

Family was central to Christine’s life. In 1972, she co-founded the annual McKinnon, Baxter, Parker, McClain, Hill, and Gaines Family Reunion, held each year between Raleigh and Fayetteville, North Carolina. Though she did not have children of her own, her family was her first love and primary ministry. She insisted the reunion be a place of fellowship, unity, learning, and accountability—where love was shown not only through affection, but through truth.

In 1997, Christine co-founded the Capital Area Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), helping advance its mission to lead, develop, and advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities through research, advocacy, and national and community-based services and programs focused on health, education, and economic empowerment in the United States and Africa. Her leadership reflected her belief that faith must always be paired with action.

Christine was known to be stern, direct, no-nonsense, and long-winded, and she did not shy away from correction. Many nieces and nephews feared her, yet all knew she loved them deeply. She believed “whom the Lord loves, He chastens” (Hebrews 12:6), and she modeled that same tough, faithful love. If you came to Christine seeking help, you came prepared—with facts, a proposal, and documentation—because she believed excellence honored God.

Survivors

Christine Baxter Jones is survived by her sister-in-law, Lucy Baxter of Zebulon, North Carolina; nephews Tim Baxter of Jacksonville, North Carolina; Dennis Closs (Linda) of Plainfield, New Jersey; Christopher Closs of Raleigh, North Carolina; and Darryl Closs of Raleigh, North Carolina; and nieces Annette Tuck of Raleigh, North Carolina; Apostle Dr. Mary Verna Baxter of Raleigh, North Carolina; Pastor Ozalie Baxter Cherry (Wallace) of Durham, North Carolina; Joyce Whitley of Harlem, New York; and Lenora Baxter of Wendell, North Carolina.

She is also survived by a host of great-nieces and great-nephews, including two special loved ones with whom she spent many years, Darryl Stanford of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Donnella Whitley Ford of Wake Forest, North Carolina.

To those who knew her, Christine was a teacher of God’s Word through her life, a woman of conviction, and a steady example of Christian discipline.

Christine’s life was guided by her cherished motto:
“Reach out and touch somebody’s hand and make this world a better place because you can.”
She lived this out daily, trusting that God would use her hands, her voice, and her expectations to shape others for good.

She will also be fondly remembered for her unmistakable style—often fashionably late, always purposeful, and rarely without one of her stylish hats. When Christine arrived, you knew it—because she carried herself with dignity, confidence, and the peace of someone walking with the Lord.

Services

Wake:  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 952 Morphus Bridge Road, Wendell, NC.

Funeral Service:  12:00 PM, Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 952 Morphus Bridge Road, Wendell, NC.

Visitation:  11:30 AM - 12:00 PM, February 4, 2026 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 952 Morphus Bridge Road, Wendell, NC.

Interment:  Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery

The immediate family will receive other relatives and friends at, 7605 Ray Road, Raleigh, NC. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Christine (Baxter) Jones, please visit our floral store.