Maxine Armstrong Baker

Jim Rush Funeral Homes 220 Wildwood Avenue, S.E. 2600 North Ocoee Street Cleveland, TN 37311 Phone 423-472-4555 Fax 423-472-2012Maxine Armstrong Baker, 82, went peacefully to her Greater Reward on Sunday, April 19, 2015 after a lengthy illness. She was at home surrounded by her family and her precious cat Chloe.To say that Maxine was a strong and determined individual would be an understatement. Her bravery and courage in the face of serious illness was an inspiration to anyone and everyone who knew her. Never did she let her physical state of health affect her positive outlook on life.A 40-year resident of Cleveland TN, Maxine was born on January 6th, 1933 in Big Springs, Tennessee into a long-standing prominent farming family. In 1938 the family relocated to Monroe County, where Maxine spent her school years, culminating with a graduation from Sweetwater High School in 1950. Maxine excelled there, graduating with honors as well as having the distinction of being invited to the 1949 Volunteer Girls’ State. Having received her degree from Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, TN, Maxine embarked on a career in business. In 1970-1971 Maxine returned to TWC to pursue continued business studies and landed on the Dean’s List in spring of 1971 at the age of 38. She attended most high school and college reunions through the years all the way up to present day!Maxine enjoyed a varied business career in the Southeast, from Gulfport, MS to Cleveland, TN, including holding the position of Registrar at Large for Bradley County from 1978-1980 and various roles within Baker & Baker Employment Service in Athens, TN, including Vice-President. For the last 25 years she has been employed by Creative Touch Studios of Cleveland, TN as a sales representative, and where she enjoyed up to present day the friendships formed there.A proud and life-long Democrat, Maxine enjoyed being a member of the Bradley County Democrat Women’s Club for many years, holding various offices along the way. In 1978 she received an honorary appointment of Colonel Aide de Camp for the Governor’s Staff for her state level voluntary work for the Governor.Maxine was an active member of First United Methodist Church, where she had many friends that she loved so dearly! Her friends at First United have rallied around Maxine and supported her in so many ways over the years of her illness; they are all a treasure and a blessing in our lives.Predeceasing Maxine were her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James J. Armstrong (Opal Fuller), her two sisters, Mrs. James B. McKenzie (Jimmie Lee Armstrong), and Louise Armstrong Martindale.Maxine leaves to cherish her memories her two beloved daughters, Michelle Eades and Melanie Lett, granddaughters Courtney Ingram, Caitlin Ingram, and Taylor Eades, son-in-laws Jerry Eades and Stewart Lett, nephews Gary McKenzie, Wayne McKenzie, Don Martindale, and Brian Martindale. Several great-nieces and two great-great nephews! Of course a host of dear friends and her beloved cat Chloe.A Remembrance of Life service will be held at 1 o’clock Thursday April 23rd at First United Methodist Church, 3425 Ocoee St. North, Cleveland TN. with Pastor Tim Bracken officiating. The interment will follow in Decatur City Cemetery in Decatur TN. The family will receive friends from 11:30am until service time at 1pm at the church.In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to the following: First United Methodist Church’s Landscaping Fund and Camp Lookout Support at 3425 Ocoee Street North, Cleveland, TN, and Tennessee Wesleyan College Alumni Association in Athens, TN. The North Ocoee St. Chapel of the Jim Rush Funeral Homes has charge of the arrangements.Read Obituary