Jeanette Dorman Paxton, affectionately known as Jeanie, Mom, and Granny, passed away on August 31, 2026 at age 102. She was born April 28, 1924, in Cowpens, South Carolina, to Martha Ellen and Mason Edward Dorman, their 13th and youngest child.

In 1945, Jeanie met the love of her life, Joseph “Joe” Paxton, and they married six months later. Following Joe’s Army service and education at Georgia Tech, they settled in Lake Jackson, Texas, in 1951. There they raised five children and made their home for 50 years.

Jeanie was an active member of First Baptist Church of Lake Jackson, serving on the prayer committee, leading the Women’s Missionary Union, and helping establish the singles ministry following Joe’s death in 1974. In 2003, she moved to Austin to be closer to family, where she found community at Riverbend Church and treasured coffee with “The Bum Group.”

Above all, Jeanie will be remembered for her faith in Jesus Christ and devotion to others. She believed in the power of prayer, and whatever the circumstance, prayer was always her first response. She read through the Bible each year for more than 50 years and freely shared her faith with others.

Jeanie had a gift for seeing each person and loving them simply for who they were. She loved cooking, gathering family and friends around her table, and was known for her pecan tassies. She loved to travel and brought a competitive spirit to every game. Growing up during the Great Depression, she never took for granted the adventures and blessings her long life brought.

Jeanie is survived by her five children: Ellen Blasi (Michael), Catherine Thompson (Dwight), Carolyn Hansard, Debra Paxton, and Joseph Paxton (Fonda); nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Riverbend Church in Austin, Texas on September 19th at 11 a.m.

Jeanie will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband in a private family service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Meals on Wheels, Drive a Senior of Austin, Riverbend Church of Austin, First Baptist Church of Lake Jackson, or a local church of choice.