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A loving mother, grandmother and good friend, Maxine Mae Morrison Machen, 92, passed from this life into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 25, 2015.
The first child of Harvey L. and Bernice Roush, Maxine was born in Oakland, CA, on January 30, 1923, and, as she loved to relate, in a hospital overlooking an artichoke patch. She grew up in California with her sister, Nadine. She spent seven years in and out of the Shriner’s Orthopedic Children’s Hospital in San Francisco, where she experienced great love and compassion at their ministering hands.
Maxine fell in love with her sailor boy, John Foch (J.F. – Jeff) Morrison, at the beginning of WWII. After being separated 19 long months, they married during his shore leave in June of 1943. Maxine became very sick during her early 20s, and she and Jeff moved to Phoenix, AZ. She said she would forever be grateful for this illness as she came to know Jesus Christ as her Savior during this time. Following the war, they lived in California, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. While living in Texas, two daughters were born to the Morrison clan: Lanice and Tressa. They settled in Hobbs, NM and attended Taylor Memorial Baptist Church, where she taught Sunbeams, a children’s ministry. While living in Hobbs, Maxine worked for J.C. Penney and later with the State of New Mexico’s Health Department.
The family moved to Roswell in 1967 where they joined South Manor Baptist Church and later First Baptist Church. After 32 years in a loving marriage with Maxine, Jeff passed away in 1975 following a long illness.
Maxine spent 25 years as a social worker with the State of New Mexico’s Children’s Medical Services here in Roswell. Assisting families with their sick children was her calling, not just a job. Maxine did everything possible to help these children as if they were her own. Many friendships were forged during this time.
During the years she taught adult Sunday school at First Baptist Church here in Roswell, Maxine met Harry Machen when he became the substitute teacher for her Sunday school class. Several years after the death of his wife, Pat, Maxine and Harry fell in love, marrying August 8, 2001. During their 12-year marriage, Maxine inherited a second family of two sons and two daughters. Harry passed away August 1, 2013.
Maxine loved and served the Lord Jesus and her heart’s desire was to know Him better, spending many hours praying, reading and studying her Bible. A true friend, she had a servant’s heart and loved doing for others. She was a hard worker and never sought the limelight. Maxine loved spending time with her family and friends. She loved music and took piano lessons after she retired. She greatly enjoyed time spent fishing, loved flowers, playing dominoes and card games with friends, crocheting baby blankets and knitting dishcloths for her friends.
Maxine is survived by and will be greatly missed by her family: Lanice White, her husband Gary White, of Roswell, and their daughter, Terry Kay Gilbert, her husband, Brian Gilbert, and their four children: Holly, Christine, Chase and Spencer of Las Cruces, NM; and Tressa Caddell, her husband, Joe Caddell, and son, Neil and his wife, Yvette, all of San Antonio, TX; Harry’s children: Don Machen, his late wife, Carol, and their five children, of Metamora, Illinois; Chris Wilkes and her husband, Larry, and their five children, of Coffeyville, KS; Russ Machen and his wife, Ann, and their two children, of Cortez, CO; and Jane Machen of Hudson Falls, NY.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Peachtree Village where Maxine lived for the last 10 years for their love and many kindnesses, as well as the nurses, volunteers and chaplain of Gentiva Hospice for the wonderful, kind and loving support extended to Maxine and to her children during her illness.
A private graveside service officiated by her pastor Bro. Richard Grisham was held on April 29. A memorial service for Maxine will be held at Peachtree Village later in May.
Donation remembrances in Maxine’s honor may be made to Ezra International, P.O. Box 120926, Clermont, FL 34712-0926, ezrainternational.org, or to a charity of your choice.
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View Full Notice → Maxine Mae Morrison Machen
Ms. Claressa Sandles, 66, a Roswell resident, passed away on April 20, 2015, at a local hospital.
