Maxine Eleanor Howell (95), beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother passed away July17, 2024 at her daughter’s home in High Point, NC. Her loving daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Carroll Boozer, were with her. They both were her caregivers for the last year devoted to showering her with love and attention after her diagnosis with dementia last August.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, William and Minnie Hamby, of Carter County TN. She was one of 7 children. She outlived all of her siblings and missed them dearly. She was especially close to her sister, Marie, who passed away with the same disease a few years ago.

Maxine was born and raised in Hampton, Carter County TN. She grew up during the Great Depression when times were hard and the economy was struggling. This contributed to Maxine becoming a determined survivor. She was strong, independent, resourceful, spoke her mind, yet was a kind and strong advocate for others. Maxine gave sincere compliments freely. People were naturally drawn to her. She had good taste and an eye for style. Her hair was her crowning glory. She rolled her hair everyday.

She moved to Bristol TN when she was a young adult and lived there the rest of her life. She took pride in the uniqueness of Bristol. Downtown Bristol is located in two states. One side is in TN and the other is in VA. She loved the people and the community. She made friends everywhere she went. She loved to make people laugh and have fun.

Maxine was a shining light to all who knew her and met her. She always had a big smile on her face. She loved and lived life to the fullest. She never saw or felt herself as getting older and wouldn’t reveal her age. She exercised daily at the Slater Center into her early 90s. When she was younger, she would run for 5 miles almost daily. It was at Slater Center in her late 70s that she joined a group, The Dandeliners. The group would perform line dancing for the local nursing homes, the mall and other events. She would say they were going to perform for the “old” people at the nursing home when, in fact, she was older than some of them. Always young at heart.

Among her many hobbies was photography. She filled many albums with photos of her family and friends. Her life is documented in those albums. She was an avid reader, especially Danielle Steele. Her friend at the library would call her when a new book arrived. Her yard was always well manicured. She enjoyed mowing, raking leaves, painting her house inside, and planting and tending to her flower bed garden. Maxine appreciated nature and was always in awe of the cloud formations and trees. She also collected porcelain figurines of owls, ducks, birds, butterflies, angels and dolls.

The family would like to thank all of their friends and family for the love and support that has been shown to them. Brenda would like to thank Laraine Williams for all she has done selflessly the last year to help mother and make things easier for everyone. Laraine and her family have known mother for 34 years. Mother loved them dearly, and they became Mother’s second family. It was a comfort for her daughter who lived 3 hours away to know she was being loved, and; if she needed anything, Laraine was just a phone call away.

Also special thanks to her niece, Linda Thompson, for all the love, calls and visits she made over the last few years.

She was a member of Central Presbyterian Church of Bristol, VA. and enjoyed the pastor and the congregation. She was baptized there and became a true steward of faith.

Preceded in death by her 6 siblings.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Carroll Boozer, High Point, NC; granddaughter and spouse, Kimberly and Dale Edwards, Graham, NC; great grandson and spouse, Josh and Liz Edwards, Waxhaw, NC; great granddaughter and spouse, Tate and Pat Roby, Mebane, NC; great grandson and spouse, Grant and Isabella Edwards, Greensboro, NC; great great grandchildren, Eleanor, Georgie and Frank Roby, Mebane, NC; Olivia Edwards, Waxhaw, NC; step grandson and spouse, Nate and Jennifer Boozer and their children, Nolan and Avery Boozer, Pleasant Garden, NC; step granddaughter and spouse, Laura and Tony Guld, LaGrange, GA, and their children, Michael and spouse, Meghan Hagan, Pine Mountain, GA; and Sam Guld, LaGrange, Ga. Survivors also include several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Maxine on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 4:00 pm at Endswell Funeral Service, 407 Meadowlands Dr, Hillsborough NC. A service will be held at a later date in Bristol, VA at Central Presbyterian Church.