CAROLINA BEACH - Grace Marie Raby Maxwell, 92, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington.
She was born on Oct. 22, 1927 in Franklin to the late Charles Dania and Ella Reeves Raby. She joins her late husband of 68 years, Robert Lee Maxwell, in heaven.
Grace was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great- grandmother who lived up to her moniker: a divinely given blessing. She chose to love when others didn’t – always looking for the best in everyone.
She had the biggest family – not just kin! – because she brought people who needed love into her circle. Inspired by her steadfast faith, she offered unconditional love to those around her. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, in her own graceful way. She loved this country and felt a moral obligation to always uphold her civic duties.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Steven Maxwell; brothers Austin, Joe, Garman, Sam and Cecil; and sisters Fannie Burrell, Kate Tallent, Oma Rick, Lola Mae Rowland, Ann Jackson, Ellen Ray, Mary Rowland and Thelma Welch.
She is survived by two daughters, Rosalee Lyons (Bill), and Judy Greer (Larry); and a son, Frank Maxwell (Renee); goddaughter Karla Denney (Rick); one sister, Kathy James; six grandchildren, Todd Vallejos, Ryan Vallejos (Heidi), Jamie Wren, Shannon Maxwell, Katie Jones (Nick), Hunter Maxwell; six great-grandchildren, Gracie Vallejos, Isabel Vallejos, Austin Vallejos, Victoria Vallejos, Grayson Jones and Quinn Floyd; and many special nieces, nephews and friends.
The family is hosting a celebration of Grace’s life at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020 at the Quinn McGowen Funeral Home located at 315 Willow Woods Drive in Wilmington.
Following the memorial service, the family will receive friends at the home of Rosalee and Bill Lyons at 266 Silver Sloop Way, Carolina Beach.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be made to God’s Pit Crew in Danville, Virginia or to Wounded Warriors.