She was born in Hazen, Arkansas to Odus and Effie Sparks on August 21, 1925. She was the fourth of six children and the last remaining one. She graduated from Mabelvale High School in Mabelvale, Arkansas in 1943. Maxine moved to Jackson in 1945 and attended the Jackson College of Business. She began her career with Armstrong World Industries in 1953 retiring as Accounting Services Supervisor in 1991.
Maxine was a member of McLaurin Heights Methodist Church for the last 40 years. She was member of the Ladies’ Bible Class and a member of the Lamplighters Circle of the Methodist Women. Between Pearl Methodist and McLaurin Heights Methodist Churches, her service to Methodist Women spanned forty years.
Maxine and her beloved Hubert Roberts enjoyed round and square dancing for many years. She was a member of the Dancing Pearl Pirates and the Singles Square Dance Clubs. For many years, they danced at the Mississippi State Fair and also performed before a Randy Travis concert in the Mississippi Coliseum. She was part of a group instrumental in getting Folk Dance which included Square Dancing designated as Mississippi’s official dance.
Maxine was a wonderful mother, Nana, sister, aunt and friend. She was happiest seeing her family especially her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her beloved friend Hubert Roberts; her son Reverend Larry Creel; her parents Odus and Effie Sparks; her brothers Alfred Sparks, Layton Sparks, Ross Sparks and David Sparks and her sister Emma VanderVen.
Maxine is survived by her daughters Becky (Jim) Stevenson, Brandon, MS and Anita (Steve) Lewis, Madison, MS and her daughter-in-law Nancy Creel, New Orleans, LA. She is also survived by her grandchildren Amy (Eric) Bisschop and Adam Creel, New Orleans LA, Grant (Nikki) Stevenson, Brandon, MS, Thea Stevenson, Flowood, MS Connor (Kayla) Lewis, Georgetown, Kentucky and Caroline (Jacob) Duke, Pearl, MS. Other surviving loved ones include great-grandsons Samuel and David Bisschop of New Orleans, LA, Ledger and Rhett Stevenson, Brandon, MS and many extended family members living from Washington to Pennsylvania and from Texas to Georgia.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Peach Tree Village and Brandon Court for their loving care of Maxine in her later years.
A celebration of Maxine’s life will be held on Thursday April 25, 2024 at McLaurin Heights Methodist Church in Pearl, MS. At 12:00 p.m. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 12:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Floral Hills Cemetery in Pearl, MS.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to McLaurin Heights Methodist Church, 325 Mary Ann Drive, Pearl MS, 39208.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baldwinleepearl.com for the Creel family.
