Maxine “Mac” Crowell, 86

Maxine Crowell, 86, of Beagle, Kansas, died Aug. 13, 2024, after a short hospice stay in her own home. A graveside service was held on Aug. 15 at Beagle Cemetery.

“Mac,” as she was called by close family, was born Oct. 18, 1937, near Gainesville to John Thomas Chisam and Edgie Mae Chisam (Smith). She attended rural schools and churches in the Gainesville area, walking to both no matter the weather.

Maxine was one of nine children of John and Edgie. She dearly loved her four brothers and four sisters, but her most favorable comments were reserved for her mom. In Maxine’s opinion, Grandma Edgie represented the epitome of a God-serving and dignified individual.

In her early teenage years, Maxine followed her sisters, Dona and Dean, and moved to Kansas City, Kansas. Maxine’s first job was in a dime store, but soon thereafter, she began working at the Colgate-Palmolive factory. Maxine, a proud union member, worked at Colgate for nearly 20 years, retiring in the mid-1970s.

While living in an apartment in KCK, Maxine was fortunate to have a happenstance meeting with the man who would become her husband, Lee Crowell. After dating for a short time, Lee and Maxine were married on June 25, 1956. They made their initial home in Kansas City. Traveling was in Lee’s blood, so there were many trips to Colorado, but the young couple always returned to Maxine’s Ozark home to visit her family.

Their first child, Lori Lynn, joined the family in 1966, and their second daughter, Lisa Michelle, joined the family in 1969. There were never two daughters loved more by their mom and dad.

While the family started out in Kansas City, rural living was in Lee and Maxine’s future. They bought around 20 acres from Maxine’s brother Jim and his wife Wanda. Maxine and Lee build a home just a mile south of Beagle. Many thanks were owed to Uncle Loman, Uncle Joe and Maxine’s brother, Uncle Dale, and many others for helping build that house on the hill.

Lee and Maxine’s life was full, but unfortunately, after a brief illness following early retirement, Lee passed away in 1993. 

Maxine is survived by her daughters: Lori (Tim) Catlin of Ottawa, Kansas, and Lisa (John) Farley of Osawatomie, Kansas; her grandchildren: Rylee Catlin, Emma Catlin, Ellie Catlin, Lilly Catlin, Sam Farley, Jack Farley and Annie Farley; her brother, Gene (Linda) Chisam of Gainesville; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and other family throughout Kansas and Missouri.