Delores S. Maxwell was born on May 11, 1935 in Columbus, GA. Born to very young parents who were unable to properly care for her at that time, placed her for adoption. She was adopted by David and Pearl Owens, a loving Christian Couple in Cleveland, Ohio. She was their only child.

She accepted Christ at a very young age at Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio where her parents attended. Pastored by Reverend Dr. Wilson who she spoke so fondly of over the years. She literally grew up in that church and was very active and involved. The strong biblical foundation she received there set the tone for her spiritual life journey.

After graduating from East Tech High School, she soon after enlisted in the Army serving for one term. She then returned back home to her Cleveland roots to be close to family.

On May 2, 1959, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Charles Maxwell. To this union they had three children together: David C. Maxwell, Tanya M. Maxwell and Anthony K. Maxwell. Though the marriage only lasted for several years, ending in divorce, she often said that her greatest joy was raising her children and how much she loved being a mom. They were the joy of her life. She truly was a “mama bear” when it came to her children. She was warm, nurturing and gentle-spirited but a fearless protector when the occasion arose.

She had excellent work ethics which she instilled in her children and was a very hard worker in providing for her family as a single mom. She often put her hands to many job opportunities over the years that best fit the needs of her family. She worked at the post office for years but made a decision to let it go in order to be home in the evenings with her children as they were coming into their teenage years. She made great sacrifices to be there for them, even if it meant changing jobs.

God always honored her sacrifice and ultimately opened a door for her that allowed her to work daytime hours and step into her passion of taking care of children. She started her new career as a childcare assistant at Health Hill Hospital for Children (Currently now, Cleveland Clinic Children’s Rehab Hospital). There she worked for 25 years and received several accolades and recognitions for her spirit of excellence in caring for the children over the years. She retired in 1996. Even after retirement, she continued to work with children for several more years in the Foster Grandparent program. She worked 3-4 days a week in the head start programs as a support in the classrooms with the teachers. She absolutely loved it, loved the kids and the teachers loved having her there as a grandmother in the class.

Affectionately known as “Mother Maxwell ” by many; She attended Faith Fellowship Church located in Bedford Heights and later located in Macedonia, Ohio for over 20 years until she was no longer able to physically get out regularly. She lived in her senior community in Shaker Hts for 28 years at Campbell Court. She loved it there and all the friendships over the years. It was a strong community of connections for her.

In April 2025, she was no longer able to live on her own and required 24-hour care. She moved into The Villa at Marymount Nursing Facility in Garfield Heights. There she lived out the rest of her days, embracing her new home and new community until she took her final rest in eternal peace with the Lord.

Mother Maxwell will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love, kindness, and compassion will continue to inspire those who knew and loved her. She loved writing poems and had a book of many that she wrote over the years and wrote for others. She also loved her hymns and always had her hymn book handy and would sing a song at the drop of a hat.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories of her three children: David, Tanya and Anthony (Tony). Her grandchildren: Anthony Jr. (Tony), Kenny, Leonard Ray and Nicole. Her great grandchildren: Leonard Ray Jr., Jaylen, Karter, Kodi and Kori. A host of other relatives, spiritual children and friends.

TRIBUTE TO MOM

My Precious Mom passed away on Saturday, September 12th peacefully in her sleep at the age of 91 and went home to be with her Lord. While my heart aches with grief, because I will deeply miss her more than words can say; I take comfort in the promise of Christ. I do not grieve as those without hope. I have the profound joy of knowing that she has finished her course, kept the faith, and is now safely home in the arms of Jesus. I know this goodbye is not the end, and look forward to the glorious day when I will see her again.

She has always been the centerpiece of our family and leaves us with a legacy of love, faith, prayer and compassion. She lived a life anchored in Christ and became a Mom to many over the years since my early childhood days to her older seasoned years. Many were always drawn to her Mothering nature and would latch onto her like she was their own Mother. I enjoyed sharing her with many of her spiritual children which became a long extended family for me, especially since we were a small family.  She loved me and my brothers to the fullest and always made each of us feel like we were her favorites without showing any partiality.

The best gift she ever gave me was Jesus. She literally prayed me into the kingdom 🙏🏿. Her prayers had chased me down and overtook me until I surrendered my life to the Lord and I have never been the same! I will always honor her selfless love she had for her family, friends and so many others.  Her love for God, her life of prayer, compassion, kindness and gentle spirit spoke volumes. She was always my biggest support and cheer leader.

I promised her that I would carry on the legacy of love with our family and keep us knitted together in love ❤️.  Psalm 91 was one of her favorite Psalms and she and I prayed it often over our lives and our family. How befitting that  the Lord would call her home at 91years old. I now wrap her Psalm 91 blanket around me like a mantle that’s been handed to me; and wrap her mommy blanket over me as a reminder to carry on her legacy of love ❤️.

I can say so much more, and I will later but I will end with this note. My last few months with her were times I cherished. Yes, I was very tired at times and grieved as I watched her drastically decline and felt like I was losing a piece of her daily. However, one main thing never changed and it was the glow and glory that rested on her in her latter years. Her eyes were so radiant and it drew many too her. I realized how much of the beauty, wisdom and glory of the Lord rested on her in her old age. It always blew me away and I would say to her, how is it that you are so cute like this😍 at 91. She would just look at me and smile as only a Mother can.

We always ended our time with prayer. She could sing a song, hymn or spiritual song at the drop of a hat. I would pray over her and Decree Psalm 91 when she was too weak to pray for herself. I covered her during those times, like she always covered me.  We always had a saying between us:

Me: You know I love you with all my heart ❤️

Her: I love you more.

Me: I know.

Because no matter how much your mom says she loves you, it’s always more than that!

#alegacyoflove #thecenterpieceofourfamily