J. Maxine Wilson

She was in company of her daughter Pamela S. Wilson and grandson David K. Gregory II who resided with and provided care for her as her health declined.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents Raymond and Myrtle J. (Landers) Garmon and her beloved husband of 43 years Bernard D. Wilson. She is survived by her son David L. Wilson (Lynn Schoenemann) of Aurora, CO, grandchildren Emily J. (Wilson) Huffman of Troy, IL, Ben D. Wilson of St. Charles, MO and great-grandson Brooks W. Huffman of Troy, IL. She is also survived by her cousins Robert (Marsena) Alley and family, Gaye Casebolt, Robert (Patricia) Shoemaker and family, plus additional relatives, and countless friends.

Maxine was born January 31st, 1927 in Kansas City, MO. She graduated from Central High School in 1945. Little did she know it, but her future husband was at the same school albeit one year ahead. At the age of 18 she met this gentleman, the love of her life, on a blind date. Maxine would re-tell the story of their first meeting -- “Bernie” walked up to her house and she thought, “WOW” he is good looking! She fell in love with a NAVY man in his white sailor uniform. They married May 28th, 1947. The morning after their wedding they awoke to a snowy covered blanket on the bed from having the window left open. They were both quite surprised that it could snow that late in May. In May of 1946 Maxine’s career as a marketing representative began at the company then called Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. She then retired in 1974 to be a fulltime homemaker. Maxine also worked at Nall Hills Elementary School as a cafeteria worker “Lunch Lady”.

In the early years of their marriage before children, Maxine and Bernie enjoyed bowling together in various leagues around the Kansas City area. When the weather turned cold and snowy, you could find them outside sledding. They also had many travel adventures together, to places such as Canada, California, and Tennessee. Their memories are permanently captured in numerous photo albums and 35mm slides. They also shared a love of sports so much that they acquired season tickets to the KC Chiefs and enjoyed tailgating with cousins Betty and Spike Alley.

Maxine’s love of sports did not stop with the KC Chiefs. She was a loyal fan of the KC Royals and KU basketball. She especially enjoyed watching her grandson David Gregory II play soccer, football and run track. She became his #1 fan - supporter. She could often be heard in the stands yelling to, “Run fast. Kick the ball. Go David!” She combined her love of travel and sports when she went to San Francisco, CA to see her favorite QB Joe Montana, then of the San Francisco 49ers, play the KC Chiefs. Though the Chiefs lost that day, she got to see Joe Montana’s magic firsthand and afterward enjoyed touring around the City by the Bay.

She had always wanted to go to Hawaii and had the good fortune to go twice. She enjoyed the tropical beverages, luaus and seeing her favorite flower, Birds of Paradise in the wild. She traveled to Germany, where she purchased the cuckoo clock that she had always wanted. Though she never made it to Switzerland, which was high on her places to go, she enjoyed a lifetime of swiss chocolate and other sweets. Maxine had quite the sweet tooth! Maxine was a collector of Hallmark “Maxine” memorabilia.

Maxine’s warm smile and hearty laugh, 94 years of fascinating stories to retell and a heart full of love to spare, charmed just about everyone she met. There were so many people who made a huge difference in her care during the last several years of health challenges.

A special thank you to Johnson County DaVita dialysis team for taking such great care of her, to her team of physicians who treated her like family, and to countless first responders who were quick to assist and reassure. A heartfelt thank you to her TREESMILL housing community of friends, especially Janice, Melissa, and many others.

Graveside services will be held on March 30th, 2021 at 2:00 in the afternoon, with internment of ashes at Memorial Park Cemetery, 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, MO 64138, entrance through gate 4. Pastor Joe Crowther officiating. Due to COVID a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date so everyone can attend and share their fond memories of Maxine. Please wear a mask when attending the services on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Maxine’s honor to Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC).