Maxie Chumley

Maxie Chumley was born on October 13, 1947 in Newton, Texas, the 9th of 12 children born to Ruben Augustus and Annie Lena Crawford Amburn.  Maxie learned the ways of life from her parents and was specifically taught how to take care of herself, work for what she wanted, love people and most importantly, to serve her Savior, Jesus Christ.  Maxie was a mother, sister, friend, and servant to those she loved the most.  She helped her neighbors and the communities that she so adored.  She was BIGGER THAN LIFE.  Everyone who knew her would testify to her boldness and the love she had for her closest friends.  No one ever wondered how Maxie stood on any subject.  She was upfront with her thoughts and feelings.  She was who she was and she never made apologies for that.  She was proud of what she had accomplished in her life and her ability to be what she wanted to be.  

Maxie was dedicated to her beloved church of Neuville Baptist Church where she served and told everyone “There is no place like Neuville Baptist Church!”  She attended Neuville Baptist where she was in charge of the kitchen and sang in the choir.  Maxie was a very talented vocalist and music was very important to her.  She was widely known for singing Dolly Partin’s “Coat of Many Colors”.  This song defined Maxie’s life.  She had many parts of herself that when put together, made a complete person.  Maxie was petite but boisterous.  Each of her traits made her who she was.  Her “coat of many colors” shown in everything she worked on.  However, in the midst of her colors, was a rhinestone…Maxie was the rhinestone. 

She loved to cook and her cooking was old fashioned.  No one….and that is the truth….could make chicken and dumplings like Maxie.  The kitchen at church, no matter what it was used for, always had her dumplings.  And on the dessert table was all her beautiful, delicious pies.  Her church family will have to get use to the tea glass being less full, but in return, the Lord’s table will be much sweeter and the heavenly choir will be louder.

Maxie was larger than life and helped out wherever she could.  Her devotion to Christ led to being devoted to mankind as well.  She found great pride in helping each year at the San Augustine “Night of the Stars”.  Maxie always attended functions dressed to perfection with her “blingy” jewelry and adornments and the absolute best and most beautiful clothes.  She was stylish and took pride in looking her best.  The fundraiser brought her to another level when she was able to dress up like the celebrities and sing their songs.  Maxie was a celebrity of her own and will be missed throughout the communities but her star will forever shine bright in the memories of those who knew her and loved her most. 

The family would like to offer a special thank you to Bridget Hughes and the staff at Pine Grove Nursing Home, and Melanie, Kari and Teresa at Texas Hospice for their special care of Maxie.

Maxie is survived by her daughters, Shonia Putman and husband, Keith, Lesa Robertson and husband, Randy, and Tammie Jacobs and husband, Scott; sisters, Dixie Cucco and Jane Robins and husband, Kelly; grandchildren, Adam Copelin and wife, Jennifer, Jessica Greer and husband, BJ, Cade Copelin, Josh Windham and wife, Joni, Jennifer Sims and husband, Nick, John Parks and wife, Briget, Kasie Cacace and husband, Tony, Colton Norton and wife, Brittany, Caleb Norton, RT Jacobs, Shelby Jacobs, Jessica Jacobs, Keith Putman and wife, Angie, Kandace Meisch and husband, Victor, Amanda Linthicum, Kevin Putman, Matthew Putman and wife, Mariah, Ginger Garrett and husband, Luke, and Toby Robertson; great-grandchildren, Savannah Spann, Jorden Bollier, Cassidy Greer, Levi Greer, Avery Windham, Tyson Windham, Molly Windham, Kaden Sims, Preslee Sims, Kingston Parks, Kellon Parks, Stetson Waller, Gatlyn Caldwell, Ally Garrett, Lauren Hall and husband, Jeremy, Whitney Garrett, Savannah Lewis and husband, Travis, Lexi Robertson, Mikayla Putman, Gavin Putman, Ella Putman, Kaylea Webb, Kyndal Webb, Kreed Meisch, Kaydence Linthicum, Kamden Putman, Evelyn Putman, Weston Putman, Kinley Putman, Emma Putman, and Waylon Putman; sisters-in-law, Shirley Amburn, Jeanie Amburn, Barbara Amburn, Kathy Haley and husband, Richard, and Dianne Chumley; brothers-in-law, Ray Hardy and Earl Chumley and wife, Verna; and special loved ones, Sue Dendy, Herbie Smith, Tristan, Jaysen, and Jaxson.

Maxie is preceded in death by her son, Rodney Waller; husband, Keith Chumley; parents, Ruben and Annie Crawford Amburn; brothers, Bonnell Amburn, Charles Amburn, Kenneth Amburn, Douglas Amburn, Tommy Amburn, Billy Amburn, and David Amburn; sisters, Gertie Leach and Patsy Hardy; mother-in-law, Corrine Chumley; son-in-law, Dale Copelin; and her best friend, Lorene Whisenhunt.

Serving as pallbearers are: Josh Windham, Adam Copelin, John Parks, Colton Norton, Caleb Norton, Cade Copelin, Nick Sims, BJ Greer, RT Jacobs, and Gabriel Hoffman.