Lourena Baxter

On Thursday, April 9, 2026, Lourena “Nanny” Baxter peacefully departed to her heavenly home.

Lourena Baxter was born in Columbia, Tennessee on January 8, 1938, to parents William H. Polk, Sr. and Irene Polk. She devoted her life to Christ at an early age. She was educated in the Maury County School System. She was an honor student at Carver Smith High School. After graduation, Lourena went to cosmetology school.

She worked for Publix Shirts for many years. She retired from Maury Regional Medical Center in the Environmental Services Department after eighteen years.

Lourena Polk Baxter lived a life marked by love, strength, faith, and devotion to her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister, cousin, and friend. Lourena loved her church and her church family at Bethel Chapel AME Church. In her leisure moments, she found joy in going to church, watching her game shows, and spending time with family.

Lourena was preceded in death by her husband, Marion Dale Baxter, her parents, William H. Polk, Sr. and Irene Polk, brothers, William H. Polk, Jr., Larry Polk, sisters, Lizzie Polk Voorhies, Laletha Polk Murray, sisters and brothers in law, and great grandchild, Baby Jackson.

Lourena was a devoted mother who leaves behind to cherish her loving memory, her children, Ricky Polk, Michael (Vivian) Baxter, Cheryl Baxter (Karry) Neal, Stephanie Baxter, Derryl (Deidra) Baxter, Sonya Baxter (Robert) McEwen, and Tonya Baxter. Her love extended to her grandchildren, Minister Michael Cordale (Allie) Baxter, Marquita Baxter, Melinda Baxter, Jalessa Neal (Timothy) Jackson, Jamar (Jessica) Neal, Javaris Neal, and Teya Baxter, and great grandchildren, Addison Baxter, Amelia Baxter, Averitt Baxter, Alder Baxter, Ashley Baxter, Adley Baxter, and Bryant Neal. She was cherished and loved by her sisters, Linda Polk, Mary Polk, Dora Polk, Wilma Polk Shoular, Renae Polk Mack, Henrietta Polk Edwards, Evelyn Brown, Martha Alvis, and Gaylon Polk. She loved and cherished her special cousins, Tomanna McClain, Dorothy Davidson, Jean Polk Glover, and her devoted friends, Barbara Nichols-Farmer, Ruby Brown-Battle and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lourena leaves behind a legacy of kindness and wisdom that continues to live on in all who knows her. A woman of faith, Lourena Baxter trusted in the Lord and lived her life as a reflection of his love.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Bethel Chapel AME Church. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens. A visitation will also be held on Wednesday, from 11:00AM – 12:00 PM at the church. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.