Jeanette Dorman Paxton

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

Jeanie grew up in Cowpens and graduated from Cowpens High School, where she was a member of the honor society.

In 1945, she met the love of her life, Joseph “Joe” Paxton, and they married just six months later. During the early years of their marriage, Joe served in the Army, and the couple called many places home, including Louisiana, South Carolina, and Georgia. Their first daughter was born in South Carolina. Joe later pursued degrees in Chemical Engineering and Architecture at Georgia Tech, and upon his graduation, the family moved to Lake Jackson, Texas in 1951. There, they made their home for the next 50 years and welcomed four more children.

While in Lake Jackson, Jeanie was an active member of First Baptist Church, serving diligently on the prayer committee and leading the Women’s Missionary Union. Following her husband’s death in 1974, Jeanie felt called to assist in the establishment of the singles ministry at her Church, then serving as a leader. In 2003, she moved to Austin, Texas, to be closer to her adult children and grandchildren. In Austin, she made dear friends through Riverbend Church and treasured morning coffee with “The Bum Group.” Jeanie delighted in spending time with her children and grandchildren and, in later years, had the joy of watching them build families of their own.

Above all, Jeanie will be remembered for her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and her deep love and devotion to her family and friends. She believed deeply in the power of prayer, and whatever the circumstance, prayer was always her first response. A devoted disciple of Christ, Jeanie read through the Bible each year for more than 50 years and never hesitated to share her faith and love of Jesus with others.

Jeanie had a genuine gift for seeing each person individually and loving them simply for who they were. She loved to cook, and was known for her pecan tassies, but even more, she loved gathering family and friends around her table.

Jeanie embraced life fully and was known for her competitive spirit. Whether playing 42, Chicken Foot, Mexican Train, or even Go Fish, she was playing to win. When given an opportunity to travel Jeanie was always a “yes.” That spirit took her throughout much of the United States and abroad. As a little girl who grew up during the Great Depression, she could never have imagined the adventures her life would bring, and she never took them for granted. 

Jeanie is survived by her five children: Ellen Blasi (Michael) of St. Augustine, FL; Catherine Thompson (Dwight) and Carolyn Hansard, both of Austin, TX; Debra Paxton of Houston, TX; and Joseph Paxton (Fonda) of Georgetown, TX.

She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Katherine Hutchinson (Doug) and sons, Dominic and Michael Joseph, of St. Augustine, FL; Joanna Jacobson (Connor) and daughter, Eleanor, of Fort Collins, CO; Sarah Bevers (Clayton) and daughters, Kate and Caroline, of Lubbock, TX; John Thompson (Julie) and son, Jeremy, of Fort Worth, TX; Kelly, Clayton (Matt) and daughters, Caroline and Finley, of Austin, TX; Julia Paxton, of Austin, TX; Paxton Hansard of Colorado Springs, CO; Ryan Paxton of Houston, TX; and Avery Paxton of Dallas, TX; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Paxton; her parents, Martha Ellen and Mason; and her adult siblings, Nellie Putnam, Julia Hoke, Nancy Dorman, Charles Dorman, Eleanora Waddell, and Ellen Linder.

Her family is deeply grateful for the kindness, prayers, and support shown to them during this time.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Jeanie’s memory may consider a gift to Meals on Wheels, Drive a Senior of Austin, Riverbend Church of Austin, First Baptist Church of Lake Jackson, or their own local church in support of its ongoing ministry.

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

Jeanie will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Joseph Paxton, in a private family funeral.