Ms. Maxine Bell Carter was born November 4, 1944, to the late Maxie Bell and Eunice McClarity Bell in New Orleans, Louisiana. She departed this life on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Madison Hospital. Ms. Maxine accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age. She joined St. Luke Christian Church until her health began to fail under the leadership of Pastor T. C. Johson.
Ms. Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Edward Bell; two sisters: Elizabeth Milton, and Paulette Bell; one son, Benjamin West; one grandson Benjamin Carter; and one granddaughter Nicole Chipman.
She worked for many years as a Resident Assistant at the Volunteers of America in Huntsville, AL. Ms. Maxine was the ‘wisdom in the room,’ becoming friends with the younger generation as well as with her peers. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo and cooking was her passion.
Ms. Maxine moved to the Huntsville area in 1996. Through the years, she would often go home to visit with family and friends. She was a giving person that was spunky and feisty, and full of life. She never slowed down in her later years. She enjoyed going to the grocery store gathering ingredients for her special recipes. It was food that you cannot make because she would mix this and that. Sometimes she could not even remember everything she added to the recipe to make it taste the same again.
Ms. Maxine enjoyed taking trips with Libby when her health permitted. She would get into the car, take a comfortable seat, lay her head back and enjoy the ride. She never told you how to drive as long as you didn’t ask her to drive. Although thrifty, she loved to get dressed up. Bright colors, flowers and leopard print were her favorites. She could be seen at times sitting on the porch enjoying her music and watching the birds. She would often say “that’s my boys,” James, and Black because she was so thankful for all that they did for her.
She leaves to cherish her memories: one daughter: Sheila, (Melvin) Andrews of Hammond, Louisiana, two sons: Jackie/Black and James West, of Huntsville, Alabama; a beloved daughter-in-law: Elizabeth/Libby West of Madison, Alabama, five grandchildren; Ralanda, (Joseph) Wilson, Patrick, and Rashaud, (Kennetta) West of Hammond, Louisiana, Darryle Chipman of Huntsville, Alabama, and Darren, (Samantha) Chipman of Atlanta, Georgia, 17 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, one sister: Delores (Clarence) Gaten of Hammond, Louisiana, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The funeral service Ms. Maxine Bell Carter will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Royal Chapel of Memories (4315 Oakwood Avenue NW Huntsville, AL 35810) with Edler Charles Gross officiating.
Public viewing will be held from 2:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 3, 2024 and 8:30 until 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Royal Funeral Home.
