Memorial services for Renee H. Paxton, of Nixa, MO and formerly of Greenville will be at 4:00 p.m., Monday, June 24, 2019 at First Baptist Church in Greenville. Burial will be in the Greenville Cemetery under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Greenville.
She died peacefully on June 20, 2019 after a brief illness and went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ. At the time of her death, she resided in Nixa, Missouri, and was surrounded by her husband, Galla Paxton and other family members, listening to the reading of Isaiah 40:31 and her favorite Psalms. Originally from Greenville, Mississippi, where she spent her childhood and much of her adult life, Renee and Galla moved from Greenville to Branson, Missouri, in 1995. They had only recently moved to Nixa.
Renee was most happy being with family, and to Renee all her friends and acquaintances were quickly swept up within the wide berth of family. She spent countless hours on the phone visiting with children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends, young and old, wanting to keep up with the latest news, to share in the latest triumphs, trials and tribulations, to laugh and cry with them, to show her concern. Mostly just to express her love, which was without end. Miraculously, she remembered the birthday of each family member and never missed sending a card or gift. She also had a ministry of sending letters and cards to encourage and bless people far and wide.
In Branson, Renee found her place in the world. She was actively involved in the ministries and activities at First Baptist Church in Branson. Then in 2005 she and Galla helped to plant a church in Rockaway Beach, Missouri, which ministered to a community lacking in basic necessities and resources. She trained and served as a hospital chaplain in order to offer comfort to the sick. Tirelessly, she served as a volunteer at the Cox Hospital and at the Free Medical Clinic of the Ozarks in Branson, which provided free medical care in the community. At both of these health care facilities, Renee offered whatever services were needed at the given time and day. She was on the hospitality roster of Wycliffe Bible Translators, and they opened their home for traveling missionaries to stop and visit. As one who loved and followed Jesus Christ, she touched so many lives in wonderful ways and left the world a better place. Her ready smile, her gentle spirit and her loving heart will be missed.
Surviving Renee are her husband, Galla Paxton; her children, Docia (Perry) England of Greenville, Bob (Laramie Williams) Baker of Charlotte, North Carolina, Susan (Steve) Hooker of Marietta, Georgia, Galla (Toni) Paxton, Jr. of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and John Paxton of Louisville, Kentucky; her grandchildren, Kate (Nick) Mills, Parker (Frankie) England, Maggie (Nathan) Waters, Austin Baker, Savannah Baker, Dalton Baker, Elisabeth Hooker, Xan Paxton, Kyle Paxton, Dylan Paxton, John Hayden Paxton and Mary Adelyn Paxton; and great-grandchildren, Mary Wright and Miller England, Myrt and Baker Mills, Baylor and Paxton Waters. Renee was predeceased by her parents C.M. and Coley Ham; her sister Coley Hansbrough, and her son, Charles [Charlie] Baker.
There will be a visitation at 3 p.m. on Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Bridge of Faith Community Church, 296 Lake Street, Rockaway Beach, MO 65740.