Lurlee Lavonne Maxwell...

Lurlee Lavonne Maxwell went to be with her beloved Lord Jesus on March 7, 2025. She was born in Tucson, Arizona on January 15, 1951, to Robert James (Lt. Col retired USAF Reserves) and Edith (Richt) James. She was raised primarily in northern California before moving to Seattle, Washington to attend bible college. It was there that Lurlee caught the attention of young Steven Arthur Maxwell. Lurlee and Steve were married for over 40 years.

Lurlee worked as a social worker after graduating from Sacramento State University. She worked at a group home for boys in San Francisco and then for Lutheran Social Services in Seattle dealing with adoptions. In semi-retirement, Lurlee served as a case worker for Salvation Army and a Family Advocate for HeadStart. For two years she served as a bus aid with husband Steve, being the bus driver again for HeadStart.

After leaving her career in social work, Lurlee acquired a theology degree. This served her primarily as a help in the challenging task of being the most faithful loyal companion to a stubborn man like Steve, could have ever imagined.

Lurlee would tell you what she thought, and if your words or deeds didn’t set well with her, you would know it. What you might not have known is that she regularly went before God’s throne on your behalf to plead for God’s grace and mercy in your life.

Lurlee was preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters, Alindreth Moore and Reth James who died in childhood, and father-in-law Clint Maxwell.

Lurlee is survived by: husband Steve, daughter Naomi Chan, son-in-law Stephen Chan, granddaughter Noelle Yao Yan Chan, daughter Abigail Volkersz and grandson Soren, mother-in-law Juanita Maxwell, step son Joel  Maxwell, step grandson Wesley Martin, and step great granddaughter Darla, two sisters and their husbands Danelle Ingalls (Pete) and Leahna Barton (William), three brothers, Tarrel and wife Kay (Cunningham) James, Lewan James, Rahner and wife Jean( O’Conner) James, brother-in-law Jim Moore, and fifteen nephews and nieces.

Services for Lurlee Maxwell will be at Snapp-Bearden Forsyth Chapel, Forsyth Missouri, Friday March 14, 2025, memorial service at 2:00 P.M., with Pastor Kyle Loyd officiating. With burial immediately following the memorial service at Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson, Missouri. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. till service time Friday, Mar. 14, 2025.