Lillian Muriel Maxwell

1930 - 2013

Lillian Muriel Maxwell 06/10/1930 - 11/22/2013 Lillian Maxwell passed away in her sleep at home surrounded by her family. Born to John and Lilly Walker in Mangum, Oklahoma she later graduated from high school in Bellflower, California; her pioneer spirit, hospitality and work ethic were treasured by all who knew her. She married M.J. Maxwell in 1947 and they remained devoted and in love with each other until his passing in 2004. Lillian and MJ loved camping and travelled throughout the country in their RV. Lillian's Roving Elks friends will be honoring her in their annual holiday campout this week. She had a long history of hard work including Montgomery Drilling, the County of Kern and later as co-owner of Juli's Fabrics on North Chester in Oildale. She was actively involved in the Emblem Club at the Elks Lodge, was a master seamstress, an avid quilter, as well as a formidable card and dominoes player. She may well be most remembered for her stellar role as "Nana" or "Aunt Lillian". From cooking biscuits and gravy, Mickey Mouse pancakes, teaching sewing, camping and everything in between for the kids in her family. And it was her family and friends that she cherished, as evidenced in her frequent reassuring hugs. Lillian is survived by her children, Judy Higgs (Jay); Cheryl Taylor (Dick); Murrell Maxwell; daughter-in-law Pam Helms; all of Bakersfield; grandchildren Matt Barnes, Kellie Yurosek, Leslie Helms, Rebecca Maxwell, Max Taylor, Sam Maxwell, Shellie Billings and Mary Nichols; thirteen great-grandchildren; sister Vern Smith of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; brother-in-law Sammy Maxwell of Tehachapi; and dozens of nieces and nephews. Services will be held at Solera at Kern Canyon (The Grove), 6000 Park Place Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93306, Thursday December 5th at noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Veterans of Kern County, Inc., 1120 Golden State Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301. www.bakersfield.com/obits