Sara White Lee Baxley, 83, died Thursday, May 24, 2012 at her home. She was born September 18, 1928 in Burnsville Township, Anson County, a daughter of the late James Fleet Lee and Ethel Gaddy Lee.

A child of the Great Depression she was raised in antebellum farmhouse without running water or electricity. She was a farm girl helping her mother with chickens while Fleet farmed. She graduated from Burnsville High and attended Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in Charlotte, NC where she received her Registered Nursing Credential in 1948. She continued her studies at Queens College. In 1950 she moved to Rockingham to supervise the midwives for the Richmond County Health Department. This was when most children were born at home. In 1952 a new doctor P.F. White, MD came to town and she worked for him for 40 years. After his death she worked another 15 years at Heritage Hills / Wadesboro Nursing Home until she retired in 2008.

She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Lee (Shorty) Baxley and her sister Minnie Neal Lee Dennis.

A graveside service will be Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Eastside Cemetery with Rev. Bob Carpenter officiating.

She is survived by her son Arthur Lee Baxley, Jr. A nephew, Jerry Matthew Dennis, and a very special great niece LeeAnn Dennis.

Memorials may be made to Roberdell United Methodist Church, 141 Bear Branch Rd. Rockingham, NC 28379 or Wightman United Methodist Church, 3986 Wightman Church Rd. Polkton, NC 28135 or American Heart Association, 222 S. Church St. Suite 303 Charlotte, NC 28303.

Online condolences may be made at www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com

Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Baxley family.

Paid Obituary