Retired SFC Elder Thurmond Lee Maxwell Sr.

Services for Retired SFC Elder Thurmond Lee Maxwell Sr. 71, of Killeen will be Friday, August 10, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at Cathedral of Deliverance and Praise COGIC in Harker Heights, TX.  Burial will following the service at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Visitation will be two hours prior to service from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the church. 

Thurmond Lee Maxwell Sr., age 71, of Killeen, Texas transitioned to glory to his heavenly Father on Monday, July 30, 2018 at Seton Medical Hospital in Harker Heights, Texas. Born on March 29, 1947 to the late Rufus Harden and Doris Mae Harden-Maxwell in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Thurmond received his early education at Ann. W. Holland Elementary and graduate from Booker T. Washington High School in 1965 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. In March 1966, Thurmond began his military career in the United States Army and retired after serving 22 years. During his career as a Food Service Specialist, Thurmond traveled the world. Thurmond was an outstanding solider! Thurmond received many awards, decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbon such as: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm(2d Award), Meritorious Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal(7th Award), Army Commendation Medal(1st Oak Leaf Cluster) Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Bars(2), Overseas Service Ribbon(3), NCO Professional Development Ribbon(3) and M-16 Rifle(Marksmanship).Although Elder Maxwell and his wife grew up in the same city, it wouldn't be until 1964 when sparks and love began to blossom. Three years later, on January 4, 1967, a covenant of love and commitment was made. Through many good days and bad days, sickness and in health, they weathered many storms and won many battles together for 51 years! Elder Maxwell loved his wife with every fiber of his being! He attempted to move heaven and earth to provide her with the best. Elder Maxwell loved his family as well, especially his children, and grandchildren! Although they are spoiled rotten, they are balanced too. Elder Maxwell encouraged them to dream big and out the box! In addition, to be responsible, respectful, work hard, to love and be there for family no matter what. Most importantly, to establish a relationship with the Lord. Elder Maxwell shared the love of sports with his children and grandchildren. He was a SF Giants Fan, Golden State Warriors Fan and Raiders/Cowboys Fan! Baseball, Football and Basketball season was a time of intense rivalry due to the diversity of teams in the Maxwell home. Food, trash talking, taunting, and even yelling was expected. But it all was done in fun and love!Elder Maxwell loved animals too and they loved him. He had a way with the family's pets and was considered a Dog whisperer! He would talk to them and we prayed they didn't answer. They would wag their tails with understanding and run to his lap with great affection. Maybe because he would give them table food when he thought nobody was looking. It didn't matter if you were four-legged or two-legged, everything that came in the Maxwell home was fed! Elder Maxwell loved the Lord. He rededicated his life to the Lord at the COGIC Holy Convocation in Anchorage, Alaska under the leadership of the late Bishop C. D. Williams, in June of 1973. He served faithfully as a Deacon for many years. He finally answered the call to preach. He was ordained as an Elder at another COGIC Holy Convocation in Oakland, California under the leadership of Bishop W.W. Hamilton in June of 2012. He served faithfully as a Head Deacon, Trustee Board Member, Youth Leader, Sunday School teacher, Pastor & Wife Coordinator and the church cook. But his love and passion were people.Elder Maxwell was gifted in the area of "Help!" He had a heart of gold and would give the shirt off his back. He loved people and they loved him in return. He affected many lives through his ministry. He spread the Love of Jesus every where he went through his cooking and assisting many that were down on their luck or experiencing life setbacks. With the approval of his beloved wife, Delores, together they fed and sheltered many. Many long-life relationships were established all over the world through his ministry and career in the military. Because Elder Maxwell demonstrated the importance of helping and feeding anyone in need as well as giving back to the community, his children and grandchildren's friends were among the many on the receiving end also. Elder Maxwell is fondly known as "daddy," "daddy Maxwell" and "grandpa" by many extended daughters, sons and grandchildren. Another favorite of Elder Maxwell was shopping. He enjoyed shopping for his wife and children. He had impeccable style and class. He was dressed from H2T! His suits, ties and hats came to life as he strucked. His sons, nephews and grandsons loved to shop in his closet, especially for his ties. His daughters or granddaughters also shopped in his closet for his shirts, ties, suit jackets and hats! It made his heart glad and proud to provide for his family.After his military career, Elder Maxwell return to California and serve faithfully at Christian Memorial COGIC with a long time friend from Germany, Pastor Samuel Gaskins Sr. Elder Maxwell with Elder Gaskins, started and oversaw the Monterey Peninsula Outreach Program. It provided shelters for both men and women as well as a feeding program five days a week. Elder Maxwell was instrumental in contracting with local hotels, restaurants and grocery store for food donations. He created an upscale atmosphere for the dining facility. He was known throughout the Monterey Peninsula for his cooking, especially his meatloaf. Elder Maxwell was even sought out to cater City Council Meetings in Monterey County. He even assisted with employment for some of the residents in the shelters via transportation or supplying appropriate attire for interviews. Elder Maxwell believed in "Giving a Hand Up not a Hand Out." In 2013, Elder Maxwell was lead to leave California and join his middle daughter, Catherine Hodzic, in Killeen, Texas. Elder Maxwell and his family joined Cathedral of Deliverance and Praise COGIC under the leadership of Bishop A. L. Thomas Jr., where he served faithfully until his health begin to fail. Elder Maxwell's health began to deteriorate in 1993. He fought and trusted the Lord for many years. But God saw his pain and welcomed him into His bosom early Monday morning, on July 30, 2018. Elder Maxwell changed his earthly home for his heavenly mansion. He fought a good fight and ran his race well. Our hearts are sad but our spirits are rejoicing because he doesn't have to endure the struggle of breathing anymore. He can inhale and exhale with ease! He can stroll the streets of gold without a cane. He was a provider, protector, a best friend, a shopping partner, our biggest business supporter, our mischief sidekick, our cheerleader, our sports rival and a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle who will be greatly missed! We will continue the ministry of giving in his honor. We will miss his laughter, his quick wit, his corny jokes, his big heart and his smile because he was such a joy to us! He lived a fulfilled life. We will miss him dearly but his legacy will always live through us in our hearts! Elder Thurmond Lee Maxwell Sr., was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus Harden and Doris Mae Maxwell-Harden; one brother, Dorsey Harden and one son, Melvin Maxwell. He leaves his devoted wife of 51 years, Delores A. Moore Maxwell. Three daughters, Geraldine Herring of Las Vegas, Nevada, Catherine Hodzic (Edis) and Cassandra Maxwell of Killeen, Texas. One son, Thurmand L. Maxwell Jr.(Marquetta), of Killeen, Texas. Four brothers and one brother-n-law: Robert Earl Maxwell, Bernice Harden(Earnestine), and Larry Harden(Jannie) all of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, James Harden(Terri) of Los Angeles, California and Lorenzo Moore of Lancaster, California. Two sister-n-laws: Bettye Banks and Elizabeth Joyner(Calvin) of Lancaster, California. Six grandsons and six granddaughters: Anre Anduha(Erika), Gary L. Herring III, Gerald Lorenzo Lee, Donovan Jackson, Xavier Maxwell, Lorenzo Rodriguez-Hodzic, Gabrielle Messina(Michael), Zanaye Maxwell, Gerlinda Herring, Natasha Maxwell, Te'Aisha Maxwell and Courtney Maxwell. Eight great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and a plethora of extended sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and godchildren.