Richard Maxwell

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8 Richard Eugene Maxwell, 85, entered into eternal joy on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, after a brief illness. Richard was born in Pensacola, Florida in 1939 as the youngest son of Percy and Willie Mae Maxwell. From the early age of five, Richard began learning his first of many trades. Watching his daddy work in his business as "Maxwell the Painter" was his joy. The day finally came when he was handed a brush, and, in 1959, he took up the trade as his own. He worked for over 40 years as a self-employed painter. That was the first of many jobs. At the age of 17, prior to his graduation in 1957 from Pensacola High School, Richard enlisted in the Army National Guard of Florida. He served faithfully until he received his honorable discharge in 1968. In 1963, at the age of 24, Richard began his career with the Pensacola Fire Department. During his career as a firefighter, he served as Fireman, Driver, Captain, Battalion Chief, Arson Investigator, and Fire Marshal. After 26 years of service, he retired in 1989. In addition to active duty as a firefighter, he was an instructor of Fire Science at Pensacola Junior College from 1977 to 1985. During those years, Richard also completed the Police Academy in Santa Rosa County, FL, and worked as a Gulf Breeze police officer for several years. Later in life, he used this knowledge working as a security guard at Baptist Hospital. He had a passion for knowledge, learning, and hard work. However, as much as he loved those things, he had a much deeper love for his "darling," Juanita Jacklyn Shaw. Richard met the love of his life at East Hill Baptist Church at the young age of 15. Their friendship began and blossomed over the following years, and they joined in marriage on April 5, 1958. In the years to come, their love grew even more as three girls were added to their family - Kathy, Kim, and Karen. Although he remained "the man with many hats," he still took time out of his busy schedule to embark on fun family adventures, chaperone youth events at church, and coach the girls in all their sporting "attempts." As his daughters grew and entered marriage themselves, they traveled in different directions. At the request of their youngest, Richard and Nita left their hometown and moved to Lincolnton, Georgia in 1991. They had no problem meeting new friends and making this new place "home." Richard, once again, used his law enforcement background to become a local police officer, and an employee of the Department of Natural Resources at Elijah Clark State Park. As if he had not proven himself enough, at the age of 72, he completed the Firefighter 1 course again, long after retirement, just so he could complete it with one of his grandsons. In addition to his three beautiful girls, he became the proud patriarch of 14 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren. Drinking coffee and telling stories of his adventures in life to his grandchildren was one of his favorite pastimes. Judging by the number of times those stories have been repeated and the laughs still shared, obviously it was one of their favorites as well. Simply stated, Richard, Dad, Mr. Maxwell, Mr. M, Granddaddy, Bo, or whatever name you knew him as, was a gift and a treasure, not only to his own family, but to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Although he was never known for being a preacher as he lived his daily life, he was literally the hands and feet of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ meeting the needs of those around him. May he hear the words of his Lord, "Well done, good and faithful servant." He is preceded in death by his parents Percy and Willie Mae Maxwell, and his siblings Betty, Billie, Phillip, and Russell, and a precious granddaughter, Amber Faith Darbyshire. Richard is survived by his wife, Juanita Shaw Maxwell; children, Kathy Darbyshire (Andy), Kimberly Bobe (Steve), Karen Lewis (Travis); grandchildren, Autumn (Mark), Austin (Summer), Andrew (Stephanie), Avonlea (Andrew), Aaron (Madelyn), Avala (Frankie), Alan, Stephen (Mandy), Ashley (Israel), Jameson (Victoria), Cameron, Angelyn, Amanda and 34 great-grandchildren. A community visitation will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at the Lincoln County Library, Dova Partridge Annex, 181 North Peachtree Street, Lincolnton, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to purchase audio books that will take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Liberia. The cost of one audio Bible is $20. Please click the link below, choose "Liberia" and designate in the message box "this gift is in memory of Richard Maxwell." https://app.securegive.com/ArkInternational/main/donate/category You may sign the family's online guestbook at: www.reesfuneralhome.net. Rees Funeral Home, 195 N Peachtree St., Lincolnton, GA 706-359-3222 would like to thank the Maxwell family for your trust and confidence to serve you during this difficult time.