Carolyn Rae Baxter

Carolyn Rae Baxter, 74, of Lowell, Arkansas. The world has less laughter because Carolyn Baxter is no longer with us. Her unique and infectious laugh preceded her into a room, sharing her warmth even before she arrived. Her loves were family, dogs, and friendly people. Carolyn was born January 11, 1944, in Poteau, Oklahoma, to Isaac Butcher and Edith (Brown) Butcher, the fourth of seven children. She died December 11, 2018. She spent two years in rehabilitation from polio between the ages of two and four. It gave her an indomitable toughness which carried her through radiologic technician training at Sparks Hospital in Fort Smith. She worked mostly in doctors' offices doing laboratory and x-ray for family physicians, internal medicine doctors, and orthopedists. She also managed her husband's obstetrics and gynecology practice. Love of family began with her widowed mother, her brother Lee Butcher, and her sisters. She married Dan Baxter in June 1965 and had one son, John, in 1976. John and his wife Leah gave her two grandsons to love. Carolyn was adventurous and supported her husband through a tour in Vietnam, a career in radio and television news, thirty years of delivering babies and taking care of women, and retirement in Arkansas. She looked forward to each new chapter in their life together. She is preceded in death by her parents Isaac and Edith, her brother Lee Butcher, her sister Agnes Lane, and her sister Victoria Butcher. She is survived by her husband Dan, son John and his wife Leah, and two grandsons Landon and Chase. Three sisters survive her: Rita McCartney, Linda Butcher, and Janice Kragten. Online condolences www.WestfieldChapel.com.