Maxine Shearon Ross died January 6 , 2017 at the age of 89.
Maxine was born on October 9, 1927 to the late George W. and Carrie Mae Shinault Shearon and grew up on a farm (now known as Victory Ranch) outside Bolivar, Tennessee with her three brothers and a sister. As the oldest daughter, Maxine helped her parents with her siblings. She attended school in a one room school house and skipped a grade so that she graduated with her oldest brother.
She was the oldest sister of five children: Curtis Shearon, Howard Shearon, Helen Shearon Mercier and Forrest Shearon, all of whom predeceased her.
Maxine graduated from Central High School and attended the University of Tennessee at Martin until she met Gordon Ross one summer while she was a grocery cashier in Bolivar. She married Gordon on June 14, 1946 and their daughter, Shearon Ann, was born in November, 1947.
Maxine was a founding member of the Bolivar VFW Women’s Auxiliary and remained a member until she died. She and Gordon were active in the First Baptist Church of Bolivar and she served as church secretary for several years. Because Gordon was a licensed embalmer and funeral director, in 1954, Gordon and Maxine purchased property and developed Bolivar Memorial Cemetery in Bolivar, TN. Additionally, they later were known as the proprietors of the Town House Restaurant in Bolivar, which was famous for the homemade rolls. Maxine completed her work career as a Pharmacy Technician at Western State Hospital.
Gordon died in 1992 and Maxine continued running the cemetery and being active in the First Baptist Church until her health prevented her continuation.
She is survived by her only child, Ann Sebastian Williams and her husband, Taylor Williams. Maxine took great pride in her daughter and her wonderful nieces, nephews and step-grand and great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to the charity of the donor’s choice.
