Maxine McNeall

She was born on September 20, 1931, in Evening Shade, MO, daughter of David Earl and Orpha Elizabeth Swetnam. On December 16, 1950, she was married to Leo Kenneth McNeall in Salisbury, MO. In October of 1969, Leo and Maxine adopted their daughter, Dana.

In the early years of their marriage, Maxine supported her husband’s education at Ozark Bible College in Joplin, MO, by working in the kitchen while he was attending classes. In 1957, they relocated to Sedalia, MO where they became co-owners in the local AF Super grocery store with Ralph and Grace Huff. Maxine worked alongside Leo in the meat department at AF Super, until they sold the business in 1988. Maxine stayed home to care for their daughter during the first few years of her life. In 2007, Leo and Maxine relocated to Columbia, MO to be near their daughter, Dana, and her family, while Leo was battling cancer.

Maxine was a member of Parkview Christian Church in Sedalia, MO and attended Columbia Christian and Forum Christian Church in Columbia, MO. Maxine spent her time supporting her grandchildren’s school and extracurricular activities. She enjoyed her morning Bible time with a coffee in hand, crossword puzzles, baking cookies, gardening, and never once losing a game of Monopoly. Some of her favorite memories were decorating the house with her grandchildren for her favorite holiday, Christmas. In 2018, Maxine moved in with her daughter, and shortly after, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which led to her stay at Columbia Manor.

Maxine was an avid writer, known to service her community by sending countless cards on special occasions. Maxine spent her life in service to others, she will always be known for her devout faith in the Lord.

Maxine McNeall is survived by her daughter, Dana Dixson, and her husband, Shane, of Columbia, MO; grandchildren, Trinity Dixson and partner, Caleb Wells of Springfield, MO, Caleb Dixson of Springfield, MO, and Faith Dixson, of Brighton, England; great-grandchildren, Ivy, RJ, and Asher Wells of Springfield, MO; sisters, Ruth Parsons of Houston, MO, Helen Moore and husband Larry of Columbia City, IN; brother, Lloyd Swetnam and wife, Alice of Jacksonville, MO; and brother-in-law, John Cartwright of Humble, TX. Maxine is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband, Leo McNeall; parents, Earl and Orpha Swetnam; siblings, Nadine Cartwright, Eula Epperly and brother in law Al Epperly.

Corey Whitaker will officiate the service at Forum Christian Church in Columbia, MO at 2:00pm on Saturday, November 9. The family will receive friends starting at 1:00pm until service time.

Inurnment will be at Asbury Cemetery in Keytesville, MO.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Maxine's memory may be made to Show Me Christian Youth Home, 24302 Mahin Rd., PO Box 6, La Monte, MO 65337 or Forum Christian Church, 3900 Forum Blvd., Columbia, MO 65203.