Morris Eugene Baxter, known to many as “Buttons,” of Southampton died at Peconic Bay Medical Center on October 3. He was 56.
Born December 12, 1956, at Southampton Hospital, he was a son of Willie L. Baxter Sr. and Mamie E. Baxter, both of whom predeceased him. He attended programs for the cognitively disabled at Southampton Presbyterian Church, BOCES in Westhampton Beach, Independent Group Home Living, and the Developmental Disabilities Institute in Riverhead.
Mr. Baxter loved attending church, attending King’s Chapel Church of God in Christ as a youngster. Later his father, Elder Willie L. Baxter Sr., began a ministry in Brentwood and the Brentwood Church of God in Christ became Mr. Baxter’s home church. One of his favorite songs was “I Love Him,” and Mr. Baxter loved to mimic his father’s preaching, playing “church” with his sisters. Later, he returned to the church in Southampton.
The youngest son of the Baxters, he loved to watch his brother Ronald play basketball and would pretend to play like him after he left the court. He was an excellent swimmer and bowler and enjoyed attending school.
Mr. Baxter is survived by three brothers, Willie “Billy” Baxter and wife LouSandra, Ronald T. Baxter Sr. and wife Sheila, and Earl “Mickey” Baxter; three sisters, Celestine Pressley, Carol Pressley and Peggy Cause and husband Michael; three aunts, Gennie Flowers, Alice Chatman and Arlene Baxter; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and other relatives.
A funeral took place on October 9 at King’s Chapel Church of God in Christ; Bishop Frank A. White officiated. Interment followed at Calverton National Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
on Oct 15, 2013