Rev. Baxter Joseph Leigh, 85, of Lumberton but most recently Cary and Apex, fulfilled his lifelong purpose on April 13, 2018.  He met his Heavenly Father face to face.

The funeral will be held Monday, April 16, 2018, at 11:00 AM at Floyd Memorial Chapel in Lumberton, Bruce Walters officiating.  Burial will follow in Gardens of Faith Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Sunday, April 15, 2018, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, Inc. in Lumberton.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxie Turner Leigh; his parents Henry Thomas and Luva Hicks Leigh; two brothers Fred and Raymond Leigh, and a sister Evelyn Jackson.

He is survived by his daughter, Crystal Leigh of Raleigh and a brother Ford Leigh of Morganton.

Baxter served faithfully alongside his wife Maxie in God's service for 49 years at the following churches: Patrick Baptist Church, Patrick, SC, Bladen Union Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Rozier Baptist Church, Lumberton, Zion's Tabernacle Baptist Church, Lumberton, and Forest Acres Baptist Church, Lumberton.  At his retirement, they joined Rozier Baptist Church.  Baxter has lived in the Cary/Apex area for the last 6 years, always ministering in some way wherever he was to staff, residents, or families of residents.

Psalm 1 speaks of a godly man.  Verse 3 says, "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season; Whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper."  His mind and his body withered on this earth, but his spirit and his love for the Lord never did.  Now all has been renewed and restored in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Flowers are welcome, but in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mission Dignity, www.missiondignity.org .