Diana Baxter

Diana Baxter, 72, of Columbus OH, passed away unexpectedly in the early morning of Thursday May 20th, 2021 at Mt. Carmel East Hospital in Columbus OH. Diana was surrounded by her grandchildren in the hours following her death. Diana was born July 17th, 1948 in Zanesville OH to unknown parents. Diana was quickly adopted by Roy and Ruth Baxter. Diana spent most of her childhood in the “white house on the hill”. As an only child Diana was doted on by her father and shown the ways of life by her mother. In Diana’s early years you could have found Diana reading a book or in the kitchen with her mother, a tradition that Diana continued with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  

Diana spent her late teens and early twenties having and raising seven children. Diana eventually left her home and moved to Philadelphia where she would eventually find the man she would marry. Diana married Jarome Anthony and together they raise their children. From a young age Diana was taught the way of Jehovah and lived every day in obedience to his laws and commands. On July 5th, 1980 in Philadelphia Diana took her faith to the next level by getting baptized. Diana continued to serve Jehovah through countless years of pioneering, mentoring, and sharing her faith with everyone. Diana returned to Zanesville OH, with teenage children and young grandchildren in the home, Diana miraculously managed to go back to college earning her bachelors in sociology from Ohio University-Zanesville.  

Diana once again left Zanesville to move Waterbury CT, in which Diana cared for her aging mother, her own children, grandchildren and eventually a great-grandchild. Even with all the responsibilities at home Diana still managed to become an affluent person in the school and the neighborhood. Through a plethora of volunteered hours in the schools Diana quickly became the women to go to for in areas not limited to mental health in children, advocacy for children with special needs, empowering and challenging the next generation of young women and improving the school system reading (Title I) program. Diana was acknowledged for her selflessness and dedication to creating a better school system for those in need. You could find Diana at school board meetings or mentoring a group of young women called FEMALE.  

Diana again moved back to OH this time landing in Columbus, where Diana spent the last 10 years of life dedicated to improving her family and strengthening her relationship with Jehovah. You could find Diana in the kitchen with her grandchildren and great grandchildren as she taught them how to make food from scratch as her mother has once taught her. Diana was the backbone and matriarch of the family welcoming, praying for, encouraging, and providing guidance to any and every person no matter the time of day or current situation that Diana would find herself in. Even in the last year of Diana’s life as she began to become sick, she was still ready and available to help everyone who was in need. Diana carried with her to her last breath an unconditional, selfless love that brought so much hope to everyone around her.  

Diana was predeceased by her parents, Roy and Ruth Baxter and husband Jerome Anthony. Diana was survived by and will be truly missed by her children Teresa Griffea Rembert, Carmen and Kevin Neff, Julia Brown, Delores (Buttons) Baxter, Raymon (Jackie) Baxter, Michael Sr. and Nikkianna Baxter and Jackelyn Anthony, her grand-children, great grand-children, and great great grand-child. Diana will be remembered by Close friend Brother Hunter and all the Brothers and Sisters from her Kingdom Halls.  

Friends may call Saturday, May 29 from 11am-1pm at Jerry Spears Funeral Home with Crematory, 2693 West Broad St, service to follow at 1pm.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.