Johnnie Mae Maxwell

Her Early Life

Our dearly beloved Johnnie Mae Maxwell was born on June 2nd, 1939 as the fourth of nine children to John Ocie and Minnie Bell Crawford in Coosa County, Alabama. She enjoyed school, fishing with her father and siblings, learning how to sew and crochet from her mother, and spending time with her "Grandma C" (Lucille) and her aunt "Ro" (Rosetta), and eventually playing on an all girls basketball team. Johnnie Mae confessed Christ at an early age at Peace and Goodwill Church in Rockford, Alabama. Johnnie appreciated her southern upbringing and cherished the experiences she had with family and friends while growing up there. She carried those fond memories with her as she journeyed to Boston, Massachusetts in 1965 with her late husband Jather Lee Maxwell, son Arnold Lee, and daughter Teresa Ortolaza-as they searched for better employment opportunities.

Her Love & Labor

Upon arriving in Boston, Johnnie tried to work alongside her older sister Louise, a long time nurse at Mass General Hospital, but quickly learned that the medical field made her squeamish. Johnnie then pursued work at Color Picture in Jamaica Plain, where she worked for many years while pursuing higher education through the OIC Training program, which taught her keypunching and typing skills. Johnnie would go on to apply those skills at the New England Merchants Bank (Bank of New England) where she did payroll work for numerous years before retiring in the mid-1980's. Johnnie would eventually dedicate her time and energy to nurturing her granddaughter Shanice. She made sure they had fun together after Shanice "got her lesson out," and later joined Generations Inc. as a volunteer to help elementary school students with reading, writing, and math at the Joseph Lee K-8 School and the Dorchester Boys and Girls Club's after school program.

In her spare time, Johnnie used the skills her mother taught her and created and sold handmade dresses; she loved to sew, crochet, and shop. Johnnie Mae also had a genuine green thumb and loved all kinds of flowers and plants, which adorned the inside and outside of each home she had. She liked to challenge herself through jigsaw and crossword puzzles, word searches, crossword puzzles, and paint by number canvases as well.

Johnnie Mae truly loved the Lord. From her early days in Boston, she was a member at St. John Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Rafe D. Kelly for many years. She later joined Timothy Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Harry D. Gerald on January 1, 1991. Johnnie Mae was later consecrated as a Deaconess on September 21, 2003 by Rev. Dr. Larry Green Sr., a position she deeply valued. Over her 35 years as a member, Deaconess Maxwell was extremely faithful in her serving and giving. She actively participated in many ministries such as: the Diaconate, Annie Mae Broughton Missionary Society, Sisters in Christ, Flower Ministry, and Senior Choir. She took part in Noon Day Prayer and spearheaded the Prayer Line with the late Sis. Lillie Pearl Clanton for many years, before working alongside Rev. Ruthanne Darby. Deaconess Maxwell also taught Vacation Bible School and was a team leader for the Music Ministry and Prayer Ministry.

Mother Maxwell was a dedicated servant of the Lord who loved to pray and praise. While able, she would take every opportunity to speak about God to anyone, and wouldn't hesitate to correct people in love. Mother Maxwell enjoyed seeing people's countenance lifted and always knew just what to say. She would often use her Southern charm and jokes to bring a smile to people's faces and get them laughing while sharing a Word too. She would give what she had to those in need as well. A hard worker, Mother Maxwell exuded quiet confidence and exercised diligence in all she did.

Her Long-Lasting Legacy

Johnnie Mae Maxwell sowed seeds of a life well lived, and has now reaped her "well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23). She was preceded in death by four brothers: JB Crawford (Juliette), Jeremiah Crawford, Oscar Benjamin Crawford and Ocie Crawford, as well as two sisters: Louise Miller and Allie Lee Simpson. She leaves to celebrate her memory and legacy: son Arnold Lee Maxwell, daughter Deaconess Teresa Ortolaza (Josue), granddaughter Minister Shanice Maxwell, two sisters: Mary C. Goggans and Beatrice Warden (Billy), two sisters-in-law Katie Crawford and Donette Crawford, and a host of nieces, nephews, church family, friends, and people who have been positively impacted by her selfless love, genuine kindness, heartwarming humor, and fierce faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.