Melba Maxwell

Melba Jean Maxwell, age 88, of Cookeville, Tennessee, passed away on December 10, 2023 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

Born on October 16, 1935 in Knoxville, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Viness Walter Lacey and Idell Edith Wagers Lacey.

A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, former Army wife, and graduate of Tennessee Technological University, she was a retired educator, spending most of her career at Park View Elementary School in Cookeville, Tennessee and teaching for several years at Estill Springs, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia. Since a young girl, Melba enjoyed many lively activities including dancing, horseback riding, travel and "walkabouts", and music. She played piano and Irish tin whistle at home, was an alto in church choirs over the years, and was later a member of the bell choir at her home church in Cookeville, Tennessee. In recent years, her passion for needlework blossomed among dear friends in a local knitting group. Melba attended Cookeville First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was full of life, strength, love and faith. Beloved by many, she will be sorely missed. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, K. D. (Kay D.) Maxwell; grandson, Joshua Adam Maxwell; son, Kenneth Daniel Maxwell; brothers, Viness Walter (V. W.) Lacey Jr., Barry Leigh Lacey and Leon Edward Lacey; sister, Patricia Ann Lacey and step-brother, Benjamin Franklin Peacher, Jr.

She is survived by her sons, Dennis Lee (Connie) Maxwell of Baxter, Tennessee and David Robert (Margaret) Maxwell of Cookeville, Tennessee; daughter, Diana Kay Maxwell (L. Peyton) Adams of Madisonville, Kentucky; grandchildren, Jessica, Jackson, Jesse, Bradley, Boston, Brandon and Brent Maxwell; great-grandchildren, Emery, Knox and Daniel Hunter Maxwell; expected great-granddaughter (Boston and wife Mary) due in April 2024; great-great grandson Averick Hunter Maxwell; sisters, Janice K. (Cleo) Butler, Jennifer Lynne (Bill) Stephenson and Nora Jean Justice; step-sister, Glenda Carole Peacher and brothers, Christopher Boone (Pam) Lacey and Theodore Melton Lacey.

Funeral services for Melba Jean Maxwell will be held on Saturday, December 16 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. Dr. Charles McCaskey will officiate.

Her family will receive friends Saturday from 11:00 am until service time at the funeral home.

Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. Share memories and condolences at www.hhhfunerals.com.