Isabell Maxwell

Isabell Maxwell

Ruleville

Isabell "Pinky" Rule Maxwell, 95, of Ruleville, MS passed away Saturday, February 4, 2012. Visitation will be at the United Methodist Church of Ruleville on Tuesday, February 7th from 1pm to 2pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be held following visitation at 2pm. Pinky was born in Ruleville, MS, March 26, 1916. She was born the youngest child of Lida Word Rule and James W. Rule, the founding family of Ruleville. She was one of nine children and the last to survive. Pinky graduated from Ruleville High School in 1934 and attended Jackson Business College followed by a position at Bank of Ruleville. In 1938, Pinky was named Miss Ruleville. She married R.L. Maxwell in 1940 and became a volunteer dedicated to her church, her beloved town of Ruleville and her family. She was the first woman to be elected an alderman in the town and she spearheaded many community improvements. She led lasting enhancements to the town including construction of curbs, gutters and drainage for all the streets in Ruleville. One cannot look around Ruleville without seeing the permanent golden footprints she left on every aspect of the community. She was a tireless advocate and volunteer for the American Cancer Society where she headed patient outreach and assistance in Sunflower County for 15 years. Her leadership positions and activities consisted of many: Ruleville Garden Club, Twentieth Century Club, United Methodist Women, Lehreton Cemetery Committee, Town Beatification Committee, Kappa Sigma Mother's Club, Board of Chamber of Commerce, Hush-Puck-A-Haw Chapter of the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution, President of the VFW Auxiliary, President of the PTA and Room Mother for her children every year they were in grade school, 4-H Leader and troop leader or supporter of the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Brownie Scouts. Everything she ever undertook was better than it was when she started. She tackled every challenge saying, "I'll do what I can!". In 1978, she received the state wide award of Volunteer Activist, an honor which her sister, Elodie, had also received in 1975. She was extremely proud to be invited to be a special initiate of Chi Omega Fraternity and greatly enjoyed the conventions and friendships. Pinky loved times spent with her family and friends and she was happiest when she was doing things for others.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, her sisters; Ruby Rule Davis, Leathe Lewis Rule, Elodie Rule McGee, Jane Rule Burdine, and her brothers; Frank Rule, Amos Rule, Lewis Rule and Jim Word Rule. She is also preceded in death by her husband R.L. Maxwell. She is survived by her son, Robert "Bobby" Rule Maxwell (Ann) of Ruleville, and her daughter, Melanie Maxwell Shain (John) of Wayne, Pennsylvania, and her two grandchildren, Robert Rule Maxwell, Jr. (Pam) of Cleveland and Leathe Maxwell Greenlee (Frank) of Leland and her lifelong friend Veola Owens. The family extends special thanks and gratitude to the Walter B Crook Nursing Facility staff, and her dedicated caregiver Mattie Carter. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the United Methodist Church of Ruleville, 100 S. Chester Avenue, Ruleville, MS 38771 or the Chi Omega Foundation, 3395 Players Club Parkway, Memphis, TN 38125.