Maxine Louise Overton

Maxine Louise (Hamilton) Overton of Pensacola, Florida died November 3, 2016 at the age of 96 of natural causes. Maxine was born October 7, 1920 in Belle Plaine, Iowa, and grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa; she was the daughter of William Hamilton and Marie Gollassero Hamilton. Maxine graduated from the Ottumwa Heights Academy in 1938, and was married in 1943 to Dr. Neil J. Overton, a United States Naval dental officer. Maxine and Neil were married 49 years until Neil passed away in March, 1992. The Overtons made a career in the Navy for thirty years. While in the Navy, the Overtons enjoyed twelve duty stations, including San Diego, CA, Annapolis, MD, San Juan, PR, Jacksonville, FL, Cherry Point, NC, and Washington, DC. They arrived in Pensacola, Florida in 1967 for their last tour of duty, and subsequently retired there where Maxine resided until her death.

Besides her parents and husband, Maxine was preceded in death by her brothers Russ Hamilton and Paul Hamilton. Maxine is survived by her six children: Ann Mitchell (Pat); Jim Overton (Dodie); Joan Overton (John); Mike Overton (Kimberly); Elaine Besanko (Bruce) and Jeff Overton; her sister Mary Adair (Lee); nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Maxine spent her life as a homemaker, and made her roles of loving wife and mother her priorities throughout the family’s many moves. Maxine liked to describe herself as a decorator, and took great joy in reinventing her homes. Maxine loved music and to laugh, and she had a beautiful singing voice. Her family will remember with fondness her stories of singing with the Ted Weems Orchestra, coming in third place in the Miss Ottumwa Beauty Pageant judged by actor Don Ameche, and meeting her husband on a blind date where she says it was love at first sight.

The family will receive friends at Oak Lawn Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 from 5 until 7 p.m. There will be a private burial at Barrancas National Cemetery on Thursday, November 10, 2016. The family would like to thank the caring staff at Waterford Creekside Assisted Living Facility, and Covenant Care Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maxine’s honor to the charity of your choosing. Oak Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.