Mary Jane Maxwell

1930 – 2021

Jane went to her eternal heavenly home on November 2, 2021, at home surrounded by her family. Jane was the ninth and last child born to Steven Petway and Agnes Leona Dutton on June 20, 1930, in Crescent, Oklahoma.

Jane graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1948 and married the love of her life, William (Bill) Guy Maxwell on October 14, 1949. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary before Bill went to heaven November 23, 2017. After retirement, Jane and Bill traveled the United States physically constructing Southern Baptist churches through the Southern Baptist Missions Board, including their youngest son’s church in Cedar City, Utah.

Jane was a strong Christian who loved the Lord and was active in her churches. She and Bill were members of Immanuel Baptist Church in Ridgecrest, California for more than 40 years and then joined Valley Baptist Church in 2009 after moving to Bakersfield for health reasons. Jane had lived with her daughter and son-in-law since 2017 but the isolation of the COVID pandemic was very difficult and lonesome for her.

Jane was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her parents, her 8 siblings, and one precious granddaughter. She is survived by her five children and their spouses, Katrina (Lars) Nelson, Richard (Robin) Maxwell, Robb (Kathy) Maxwell, Steve (Gilda) Maxwell, and Scott (Machelle) Maxwell, 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and wonderful long-time friends.

A graveside service will be held Friday, November 5, 2021, at Greenlawn Cemetery Northeast, 3700 River Boulevard, Bakersfield, CA at the Garden of Devotion Fountain. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Hoffman Hospice, or the animal shelter of your choice.