Baxter Qualls

Baxter Ray Qualls was born in the community of Walnut Grove in Hardin County, Tennessee on January 24, 1932. His parents, Oliver B. and Carrie Shook Qualls, probably never realized what an adventure their son’s life would be. At the age of 21 Baxter married the love of his life, 17-year-old Doris Lea “Dottie” Barnett, and they began building what would be their life together for the next 67 plus years.

Before their marriage, Baxter enlisted in the United States Navy, a position he occupied at the time they wed. Much of his service was spent aboard the USS Kearsarge, an aircraft carrier where he was an apprentice aircraft engine mechanic. His time in the Navy earned him the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Service Ribbon, but it also kept him away from his Dottie.

Baxter’s chosen profession as an engineer literally took him and his lovely bride all over the world. Whenever new systems needed to be established and new projects started, Baxter was the one they sent. Eventually he would work in countries such as Japan, China, and Indonesia as well as all across the United States, finally settling in Memphis, Tennessee where he eventually retired and became a member of the Al Chymia Shrine Temple in Shelby County. His love of all things mechanical led to him tinkering with hot rods; he was even working on a rat rod at his home before his health prevented him from continuing.

Not only was Baxter a genius in the world of engineering, he was also an accomplished musician, preferring traditional bluegrass music to almost any other kind. Almost, because any bluegrass set he played was followed by an equally long performance of gospel music, when time allowed. It was a part of his ministry, one that he and Dottie both enjoyed. Holding strongly to the Southern Baptist beliefs, they felt they should take advantage of every opportunity to express their love for the Lord. Baxter even wrote several songs which are included on an album he recorded.

Anxious to move closer to their families, Dottie and Baxter bought property in McNairy County, Tennessee and began building their retirement home. It was a dream they would never get to complete due to Dottie’s death on August 23, 2021, and Baxter’s declining health. His family meant everything to him and being closer to them proved to be a blessing in his later years.

Baxter Ray Qualls joined his beloved Dottie on November 30, 2022 at the age of 90. He leaves his son Phillip Qualls and his daughter Paula Qualls, both of Horn Lake, Mississippi as well as his grandchildren Brad Bryant, Brennan Bryant, Brandy Bryant, Thomas Qualls, and Laura Qualls, and his great-grandchildren, Georgia Bryant, Judah Bryant, Jatavius Bryant, and Rowen Skinner. In addition to his wife and parents, Baxter was preceded in death by his daughter Patty Qualls, and his sisters, Betty and Bonnie.

The family request that memorial donations be made to a charity of the giver's choice.