The Excelsior Standard, Apr. 24, 2026

Mildred Maxine Lawrence, 87, of Excelsior Springs passed away peacefully April 15, 2026, surrounded by family.

Maxine was born Sept. 26, 1938, at her home at Crescent Lake, Excelsior Springs, to Paul Lewis and Francis Lucille Alexander. She was the second of four children raised in their home.

At 15, Maxine left home to move to Stover, where she met her soonto-

Maxine Lawrence

be husband, Jerold Levi Lawrence. They were married in March 1953 in Harrison, Ark.

After living in Kansas City, they moved to Liberty, where they had three children, Patricia, Robin and Mark.

In 1962, they relocated to Excelsior Springs, where she resided until 2005, when she moved back to Liberty.

Maxine loved living in the retirement community of Westwood Manor Mobile Home Park. After a bad fall and breaking her leg, she was forced to move to an accessible apartment and found one in Excelsior Springs.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; brother, David; husband, Jerold; and son, Mark.

She is survived by her sisters, Shirley Mullikin (Bill), Judy Gorham and Becky Kelly (Tim); stepbrother, Gary Wilhite (Marie); and stepsisters, Marsha Clayton and Sherry Holder. She also is survived by two daughters, Patricia Creason (Roger) and Robin Curtis (Keith).

In addition, she has four grandchildren: Mendy Sears (Chad), Matthew Curtis, Jodi Lynn (Josh) and Julia Lawrence. She also has six great-grandchildren, Cooper Sears, Chase Sears, Luke Lynn, Ellie Lynn, Nation Jenkins and Kylan Bingham; and many extended family members and friends.

Maxine was a devoted Christian and attended various churches, starting with the Assembly of God Church in Excelsior Springs, where she attended with her family. Church and faith were important to her. She loved attending ministries and listening to gospel and Christian music.

Maxine never knew a stranger. Her outgoing personality and friendly smile made it easy for her to make many friends and acquaintances over the years.

In addition to being a loving mother and grandmother, she enjoyed helping others. She would be the first person to volunteer to help clean, decorate and rearrange furniture in many of her family’s homes.

She loved working outdoors in her yard. She had a great love for dachshunds. She had three special companions: Punkin, 17; Abbey, 13; and Duncan, 16. She was always loving, and devoted to their health and happiness.

Maxine loved going to antique stores. She and her sisters took many shopping trips, seeking their favorite antiques. Mama’s home reflected her love of old glassware, teapots, lamps, jewelry and Excelsior memorabilia.

In addition to being a homemaker, Maxine thoroughly loved some of her career choices. She first became an Avon lady, which is what she referred to it as. She was dedicated to her customers and loved her job for several years.

For many years, Maxine worked at Browns Pharmacy in Excelsior Springs as a sales associate. She went on to be a CNA at Valley Manor Nursing Home, where she spent several years caring for the patients. From there, she went on to work as a CNA at Liberty Hospital, where she retired after 15 years. She loved helping patients and working with others throughout her life.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, May 27, at Pisgah Baptist Church in Excelsior Springs, with a visitation at 10 a.m., followed by a service at 11.

Maxine’s family knew how much she deeply loved and cared for them. Maxine will always be remembered with love and adoration from all that knew her.

We will always have loving memories of her in our hearts. May she rest in peace.