Alice Baxter, 87, of Southern Pines, died peacefully Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, at Penick Village. She was well-known in Southern Pines as an artist and a dog trainer. When she moved to Penick Village in 2004, Alice was accompanied by her miniature poodle, Nellie, boxes of art supplies and enough of her paintings to fill several walls.

Alice's grandmother Carrie Morgan Baxter was an accomplished painter who was determined that at least one of her grandchildren would follow her as an artist. The one who did was Alice.

Alice's family moved to Southern Pines when she was in high school. Upon graduation, she went immediately to the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Fla. She later studied with Alicia Rhett, of Charleston, S.C., and Theodora Kane, of Washington, D.C. She worked as a fashion illustrator for a retail store in Charlotte, helped make training aids for the U. S. Air Force Air Ground School when it was in Southern Pines and did technical illustration in Washington, D.C.

In 1969, she began teaching watercolor at Sandhills Community College in the Continuing Education Program. She continued in this position until her retirement.

Alice had shown works in a number of group shows in Sanford, Southern Pines and Washington, D. C. She had a one-woman show at the Moore County Library in Carthage and had artworks in all four Penick Village Annual Art shows.

In 2007, one of her watercolors was selected by Penick to be reproduced on its Christmas card.

Alice was also well-known in local dog obedience training work. She was involved with the Sandhills Kennel Club and the Poodle Club of the Carolinas. At one time, she wrote a column, "Leash Lines," for The Pilot.

Surviving family members in Southern Pines include her cousin, Lucy Baxter Bauer; Lucy's daughter, Deborah French; Alice's two great-nieces, Monica Zimmerman and Beth Morgan; and Monica's children, Jacob and Elyssa.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Alice requested contributions be sent to NEADS (Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans), P.O. Box 213, West Boylston, MA 01583. Contributions may also be made to Penick Village.

Condolences may be made at www.powellfuneralhome.com.