Charlotte Phelps Raymond Baxter

AIKEN, SC - Our Angel, Charlotte Phelps Raymond Baxter, gained her wings on  June 13,2024, at the tender age of 96. She was born May 26, 1928 and spent her youth in Wilton, CT. She and her mother served as “spotters” from their home during the war; their mission was to look for enemy planes flying over Long Island Sound and radio in their findings. The Raymonds were awarded service commendations from the Secretary of War.

Charlotte attended the University of Georgia and the University of Florida.

In 1950 she married Richard “Dick” Baxter and truly became the “woman behind the man”, supporting and encouraging his work at SRP. After marriage, they lived in Westport, CT, Chicago, IL, Louisville, KY and Wilmington, DE before settling permanently in Aiken, SC.

Always active, not only in her children’s lives, she was also active in Girl Scouts, Voter Registration, Hitchcock Woods events, The Whiskey Road Fox Hounds, The Aiken Hounds, and The Aiken Driving Club, which presented her the Gerde Award for years of volunteer service. She and her Basset Hound, Oscar, served in the Pet Therapy area.

Always up for adventure, she enjoyed traveling, including going the Windjammer Cruise with Dick and running the Olympic track at the Acropolis with her daughter, Pixie.  Family trips included snow skiing and summers in Sea Pines, creating wonderful memories, especially with her cherished grandchildren.

Charlotte was a loving, devoted, selfless mom who had the gift of making all five children (who all have different personalities) feel understood, loved, appreciated, and special. Weekends were all about family.  She was our biggest cheerleader. She was a fun and adventurous mom as well, who could walk off on stilts, skateboard, windsurf, and sail; she would start great “water fights” with the kids when bored. At the tender age of eighty, she went parasailing for the first time.  She was an avid horsewoman and dog lover. Her grandchildren were the lights of her life and she cherished every moment with them.

She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Richard, and beloved daughter, Carol Ann Baxter Sherburne. They welcomed her to heaven along with all of her pets who were waiting for her at the Rainbow Bridge.

Survivors include Pixie Baxter of Aiken, Roger Baxter of Humble, TX, Sandy Baxter Lemmon (Robert) of Columbia, Sharon Baxter of Aiken, son in law, Dave Sherburne of Aiken, grandchildren Claire Sherburne of Atlanta, Andrew Sherburne of Washington, DC, Eric Sherburne of Richmond, VA and her much-beloved dog, Hagar.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Daybreak of Aiken and Amedisys for their compassion and care, and to Dr. Ray Vaughters for years of care.

Donations may be made to FOTAS of Aiken or the Hitchcock Woods Foundation.

Services will be private.

Mom, you will always be the wind beneath our wings. Thank you; we love you.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801