Maxine Hardin Gressett

Maxine Hardin Gressett, 96, passed away peacefully at her daughter's home in Salado, Texas, on June 18, 2025, surrounded by love.

Born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1928, in Loraine, Texas, to Florris Mae and Altie Clyde Hardin, Maxine was the fourth of five spirited children. Her father, A.C. Hardin, was a Baptist preacher, and his calling led the family to travel across Central and West Texas, always grounded in faith and community.

Maxine graduated from Sundown High School-one of just twelve in her class-and later attended Tarleton State University. In 1949, she married David Gressett. Their adventurous life together took them and their three children to faraway places including Nigeria, Venezuela, and England. While in Nigeria, Maxine found a special spiritual home with the Baptist Missionaries, beginning a daily ritual of scripture reading, prayer, and hymn-singing that became her lifelong anchor.

In 1971, she returned to Texas, eventually settling in Midland, where she lived nearly to the age of 90. Her home there was a haven of warmth-where doors were always open, meals were shared with joy, and everyone was made to feel like family. She was a devoted member of West Kentucky Baptist Church and especially cherished the fellowship of "singings" at the senior center. Her favorite hymn, "Blessed Assurance," reflected the deep faith that sustained her.

Maxine loved fiercely and without condition. She adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; cherished her siblings and extended family; and delighted in simple joys-playing games with children, birdwatching, raising chickens, gardening, and cooking for anyone who needed comfort or company. She found beauty in the wide skies of West Texas and shared that sense of peace with everyone around her.

Maxine is lovingly remembered by her daughter and son-in-law, Jody and Gary Askins of Salado, Texas; her grandson and great-grandson, Garrett and Albus Askins of Belton, Texas; granddaughter Laura Gressett of Davenport, Iowa; grandson David Gressett and family of Grand Junction, Colorado; grandson Daniel Gressett and family: step-grandsons Mason Askins and family of Midland, Texas, and Cooper Askins and family of Austin, Texas; and step-granddaughter Faith Rogers and family of Davenport, Iowa. She is also fondly remembered by her sister-in-law Anne Hardin of Denver City, Texas, and her sister-in-law Julia Hardin of Knox City, Texas, along with many nieces, nephews, and their children.

She now joins in peace her beloved sons, David and Dan Gressett, and her siblings Beth Buck, Dalton Hardin, Lee Wayne Hardin, and Estelle Stewart.

The family offers their deepest gratitude to Ginger Taylor for her loving and gentle care, including singing hymns and reading scriptures during Maxine's final years, and to the Hospice nurses whose compassion was a true blessing.

Maxine was a bright and steady light in the lives of all who knew her-a woman of deep faith, quiet strength, and abundant love. Her light lives on in the hearts she touched.

A celebration of her beautiful life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2025, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, located on Hwy. 2526 (Coke St.) near Cisco, Texas. A graveside prayer will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, just across from the church.