Maxie Dean Pickens Carwile of Decatur passed away Friday, May 26, 2023. She is preceded in death by her husband, Billie Dean Carwile, her mother, father & brother Dr. Conlee Pickens. Maxie was born September 26, 1932 in Morgan County, Alabama. Her father, James Malcom Pickens was called by the Lord to Preach the Gospel and her mother, Hester Angeline Conlee Pickens became a dietician for the New Orleans Baptist Seminary. The family moved to New Orleans and Norco, Louisiana returning to North Alabama in 1953.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Patricia Pettey Pickens, brothers-in-law Wayne Carwile and David Carwile along with a host of nieces and nephews and her “public” whom she loved & admired.
Maxie graduated from Deshler High School in Tuscumbia. She attended a Baptist Girls School in 1950 completing a secretarial program. She worked a short time for Delta Airlines in Atlanta and Kansas City. In 1952 Chemstrand Corporation opened in Decatur and she became one of their prized secretaries. Later, Chemstrand opened in Pensacola, Florida and she was sent there to facilitate that event for a short time. She was well informed and well liked. Her jolly disposition led to much teasing about being the “barefoot Alabama secretary”. After her marriage she continued using her secretary skills in Decatur and eventually at Calhoun Community College where she rose to the top with her sunny attitude and goodwill. Work was a pleasure with friends that gave life greater meaning.
She and Bill moved around, living for a time in Montgomery and Center Point before returning to settle in Decatur. She & Bill were members of First Baptist Church Decatur, regularly attending services & Sunday Bible Study. She valued her faith and friends. She was musically gifted with piano & organ skills, and a bit mischievous! She & Bill participated in a dinner group they had initiated years earlier. These friends grew in number, with each one becoming a dear and lifelong friend that watched over and administered to Maxie up until the very end.
Visitation will be on Thursday, June 1 from 10 – 11 AM at Roselawn Funeral Home followed by a Celebration of Life Services at 11 AM with Pastor Michael Gentry officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be John Carwile, Sam Woods, Andy Woods, Don Simpson, Jerry Flowers and Neal Flum. If desired, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Decatur: Building Fund P. O. Box 1667 Decatur, AL 35602 or a charity of your choice, in lieu of flowers.
The families would like to especially thank Maxie’s “public” whom she adored but certainly her two dear friends, Mary Luna and Mary Reynolds whom she counted on and especially her sweet niece, Laurie Carwile, and nephews John Carwile, and Daniel Carwile whom always brought her great joy and laughter.
