Elizabeth Marie Schnelle Baxter, 91, of St. Albans, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015 at Meadowbrook Acres, Charleston.
Born March 15, 1924 in Wheeling, Elizabeth was a daughter of the late Karl August and Anna Bollman Schnelle. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Louise Schnelle Norton, and brother, Carl Lewis Schnelle.
Elizabeth's parents emigrated from Germany through Ellis Island in 1920. She loved to travel and she took advantage of regular trips to Cape Cod in her youth and occasional trips to New Orleans, Portland, California and Cuba; but most of her travel was centered around the true love of her life her family. She would never pass up an opportunity to visit her children or grandchildren. Although she received a degree in psychology from West Virginia University in 1950, she devoted her life to her family rather than her career. They all flourished under her tender love and care, which brought her much delight. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. She was a life member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church and a member of First Presbyterian Church, St. Albans.
She is survived by her husband, Lewis Q. Baxter, Sr.; daughters, Barbara Louise Baxter of Charleston and Susan Ann Baxter of Nitro; sons, Lewis Q. Baxter, Jr. (Donna) of North Augusta, S.C., and John Phillip (Kathleen Marie) Baxter of Wheeling; sister-in-law, Lee Ann Schnelle; grandchildren, Lewis Q. Baxter, III, Lt. Steven Arthur Baxter, Michael Seth Baxter, Matthew Thomas Baxter, Megan Anna Baxter, Elizabeth Louisa Stryker, Elise Johanna Weber, Madeleine Baxter Weber, Nina Marie Lindemuth, Carolyn Penny Santilli and Anita Elizabeth Santilli; great-grandchildren, Jaclynn Penny Santilli and Levi Robert Lindemuth; as well as her loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, St. Albans, with the Rev. Paul Romine officiating. Burial will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, St. Albans.
The family requests donations be made to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W, Charleston, WV 25387. You may also share memories or condolences with the family at www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com.
Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, family-owned and located at 409 Sixth Ave., St. Albans, WV 25177, is honored to serve the Baxter family.