Maria Maxwell's Obituary
Maria Lillian Maxwell of current residence Denver Colorado and formerly of Tulsa Oklahoma passed on to the Lord July 11th, 2022. Maria was born July 03rd 1926 at 7:00 PM at St Thomas Hospital in Panama City, Panama and resided in the Caribbean City of Colon near the Canal Zone of Panama. Her parents are the late, Randolph Williams of Jamaica and Eladia Calderon of Panama. Her family in Panama called her Lily. Her mother and father passed away early in her life at the age of seven and twelve. She was lovingly raised by her Grandma and Grandpa Williams and three Aunts all in one large Catholic household. She was very spoiled and never lacked attention or love. She was baptized in the “Church of Santa Ana” in the town of Santa Ana, Panama on May 28, 1927. She attended St Joseph Catholic School and then Balboa High School in the Canal Zone of Panama. In her Senior year she worked for the Department of the Navy as a Typist and eventually Manager. Her young adult hobbies included modeling for post cards in the Panama native dress called Pollera. She loved volunteering at the USO and was an avid dancer often winning awards for the Jitterbug. She liked telling people she saw the end of WWII.
Her journey in life took her to the United States where she completed her education at Cosmetology school in Holdenville Oklahoma. She loved her new friends and school, and they made her Queen of their parade in the close town of Wetumka Oklahoma. After Beauty School, she moved to Tulsa Oklahoma where she worked as a beautician and met the love of her life in the barbershop next door. She married her love, Arvel Wayne Maxwell on July 15th, 1957. They wanted many children but could only successfully have one daughter for which they doted on her every whim. Three years later she proudly became a United State Citizen on November 09th, 1960. Eventually she had her own business as a Beautician where she had a very large clientele.
After the death of her husband, she retired and moved to Parker Colorado with her daughter and family. She then went back to Tulsa briefly living at Shady Brook Apartments where she volunteered for every social event. Eventually she moved back to Colorado where she resided at Little Sisters of the Poor in Denver Colorado. She was very happy there and enjoyed a full life with family and especially her grandchildren close by. She was always laughing, making people laugh with her and always, always singing and sharing a song. She would often do a shoulder shimmy while singing her songs that always brought on a round of laughter from all.
Shortly after her 96th birthday, she passed away at her home at Little Sisters of the Poor where the Lord called her to him. One of the Little Sisters heard her last faint words in her native tongue “Cielo, Cielo, Quiero Cielo” “Heaven, Heaven, I want Heaven”. She passed July 11th, 2022, at 2:30 AM peacefully in her sleep with the ever-watchful Little Sisters of the Poor who had taken turns watching over her till the very end.
Maria is survived by her daughter, Anna Maria Nixon and Son in law, Alfred John Nixon Sr. (AJ). Grandchildren; Leslie Marie Nixon, Alfred John Nixon Jr. (AJ) his spouse Sherri Jean, Dianna Michelle Nixon. Great Grandchildren; Camren John Bell his spouse Megan Ann, Mya Marie DeHoyos, David Martin Youngblood, Anthony Jacob Heredia, Kaleb John Nixon. Great-Great Grandchildren; Michael John Bell and soon any day now Ava Lynn Bell.
Her greatest love were all her Grandchildren who nicknamed her Grandma Grapes. And most importantly her faith and love for her God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Memorial Mass July 20th 2022
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 3549 Navajo Street, Denver Colorado
Rosary 10:30 AM, Mass 11:00 AM
Mass of Christian Burial July 26th 2022
Church of Saint Benedict, 22OO West lthica Street, Broken Arrow, Ok 74017
Rosary 10:30 AM, Mass 11:00 AM
What’s your fondest memory of Maria?
What’s a lesson you learned from Maria?
Share a story where Maria's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Maria you’ll never forget.
How did Maria make you smile?
