A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of
Pastor Lossie Mae Baxley
Pastor Lossie Mae Baxley was born in Bladen County, North Carolina on February 5, 1932, to the late Zell Ester Sykes-Bordeaux and Abraham Lincoln Bordeaux. She was united in holy matrimony to Rufus Arise Baxley who preceded her in death.
On Monday, February 21, 2005, at Bladen County Hospital, Pastor Baxley heard the small voice of God calling her, and she responded with a smile and took flight to be with the Lord.
Being educated in the Bladen County School System, Pastor Baxley mastered the skill of seamstress. She served faithfully as a member of the Mt. Carmel Holy Churches, Inc., under the pastoralship of Mother Mary C Munn. She accepted God's call to preach the gospel in 1956. In 1963, she was appointed Assistant Pastor and ordained as Pastor in 1973.
Pastor Baxley had a vision for working with young people, as well as the elderly. Because of her love, gentleness and kind-heartedness toward everyone she encountered, Pastor Baxley was highly respected and appreciated by her church members, as well as Pastors in the community and afar. Her life has been exemplary in its perseverance, humility, unchanging disposition, unfeigned love, holiness, and godly service.
In 1978, God gave Pastor Baxley the vision to build a new edifice. Many times, God would wake her during the night with detailed instructions of how He wanted the church to be structured. She would get up immediately and begin sketching and writing as directed by God. In 1992, God reestablished the church's name as Mount Carmel Holy Church of Worship, Inc. During a Consecration and Installation Service, on December 12, 1999, Pastor James P. Perkins of Victory Tabernacle Church of Raleigh installed her as Senior Pastor of Mount Carmel Holy Church of Worship, Inc.
Through her over 49 years of anointed preaching, teaching and shepherding, many people have committed their lives to Christ and matured in the faith.
Mt. Carmel was established entirely on covenant faith in God. With God's direction, Pastor Baxley provided a wholesome ministry that ministered to the needs of mankind's mind, body and spirit, which included personally meeting their financial need.
She leaves to cherish her memory and continue her legacy: seven daughters, Agnes E. McKoy (Haywood) of the home, Ruby Robinson (Dale) of Wilmington, NC, Virginia McGill (Burton), and Gloria Smith (Jimmy) of Raleigh, NC, Mildred Jackson (Jim) of Waldorf, MD, Wilma Kelly (Gary) of Raleigh, NC, Connie Smith (Kevin) of Waldorf, MD; an adopted daughter, Thesta Baxley of Lumberton, NC; four sons, Rufus Baxley of Desoto,TX, Nathaniel Baxley (Betty) of Fairmont, NC, George Baxley (Gealer) of the home and Dennis Baxley of Burgaw, NC; two other children that she reared, Shadiqua Baxley and Johnny Bordeaux, Jr.
She was preceded by one sister, Elizabeth Worthen; 6 brothers, Lee, L.C, J.C, Webster, Earl, and Raymond Bordeaux. She also leaves to cherish her memory one sister, Gertrude Bordeaux-Cannon of Englewood, NJ, John Bordeaux (Gwen) and James Bordeaux, both of the home, Abraham Bordeaux (Beverly) of Temple Hills, MD; 5 sisters-in-law, 3 brothers-in-law, a special family member, Daisy Gavins Newkirk of Wilmington, NC; 30 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
