Maxine Hicks Taylor

On August 28, 2014, Maxine passed peacefully after several years of declining health. At her side was a daughter-in-law, Laura Taylor (William) and a daughter, Janie Taylor, whose loving care was indispensable to her last years.

Maxine was born in 1921, in Austin, Texas, the fourth of six talented “Hicks girls”--The daughter of the Reverend Walter Prescott and Zella Hicks.

She earned her BS degree from Samuel Huston College (now Huston-Tillotoson University) in Austin, Texas in 1941, and her M.A. at Inter-American University, San German, Puerto Rico in 1966.

She described her beautiful East Austin neighborhood and the town itself-- then and now-- as a “good town” and nurturing environment that is an island of sanity surrounded by “a crazy state.”

Maxine gave her parents major “bragging rights” when she honored their commitment and determination to educate six daughters during the turbulent years of the Depression era-- not just marrying them off.

Academic work and scholarships supported some of the sisters' college costs while the remainder was borne by the sheer force and will of professional talents of their parents. Maxine's mother was by necessity an expert seamstress and Reverend Hicks, a Baptist Minister, embossed in calligraphy the names on degrees of Sam Houston College diplomas in trade for tuition costs.

Maxine recollected to Crockett “when I got married I said, one day I'm going to (have to) buy a dress off the rack.”

Maxine was predeceased by her husband of 45 years Air Force Lt. Col. (Ret) Ulysses S. Taylor, Jr and her eldest son, Major Ulysses S. Taylor, III.

Together she and Ulysses raised and nurtured six children in the course of his 26 year career. Maxine's life as a military wife and mother began with him in 1942 in Tuskegee, Alabama, at the Army Air Corps' Tuskegee Flying School.

She readily acknowledged this type of life was replete with joys and sadly, tribulations, encompassing the earliest days of racial integration of the military in the “new” United States Air Force.

At one post-Korean War assignment at Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland, Maxine's two eldest children were accompanied by MP's when required to attend a segregated elementary school off post while, a school on post was available.

Despite numerous relocations and disruptions to family life, she made the best of every new situation. Most notably their last Air Force assignment which brought them to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona. Here, Maxine was a dedicated mathematics educator in the Tucson Unified School District for 21.5 years at: Holiday Elementary, Smith Elementary, Brown Elementary, and Townsend Middle School.

Upon retirement from TUSD in 1988, she described her tenure saying, “...I've worked with many people who have become life-long friends and so many of the students I've taught over the years are making such a strong contribution to our society.”

Maxine was also one of 14 charter members and past president of the Tucson Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. DST is a 101 year old international service and community outreach organization.

During her tenure, DST supported Habitat For Humanity, among other projects, funded through sponsorship of the former Ebony Fashion Fair.

Surviving Maxine and celebrating her life; her children: Carolyn Moore Manning, Theresa Simmons, Janie Taylor, Walter Hicks Taylor and wife Lisa, William Taylor and wife Laura. Nine grandchildren: Edison, Tonya, Ulysses IV, Mechande, Jimila, Maxine, Nell, Yitsiee, and Tyre. Her great-grandchildren: Ulysses V and Lauren, Xavier, Mica, Milo and Luka.

A Visitation will be held at East Lawn Palms Mortuary, on Wednesday, September 10, from 10:30-11:30 AM. Funeral Service will be from 11:30-12:30 PM, with burial to immediately follow. A reception from 1-3:00 PM in the Reception Room of East Lawn Palms Mortuary, 5801 East Grant Road.