Mrs. E. Maxine Payton, 93, of Galesburg, Illinois passed away at 8:40 pm Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center.
Maxine was born April 6, 1926 in Herrin, Illinois the daughter of Ellis T. and Nell V. Cato Wells. She met her husband, James R. Payton, Sr. while roller skating at the roller rink. They married on April 29, 1945 in Galesburg and after 42 years of marriage he preceded her in death on July 20, 1987.
Maxine is survived by her children, Dr. James R. (Sharon) Payton, Jr. of Mount Hope Ontario Canada and Lisa (Robin) Elliott of Galesburg; six grandchildren, Chris (Liza) Davis, Trevor (Erin) Payton, Jess (fiancé David Paulsen) Payton, Chris (Anh) Payton, Chris (fiancé Jaclyn Koos) Elliott and Nick (Corine) Elliott and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Maxine worked as a secretary for the City of Galesburg for over 17 years. She had worked in the City Clerk’s office and the Public Works department, retiring in 1992. She had also worked for the former West Central Legal Services now Prairie State Legal Services. Maxine was a charter member of Bethany Baptist Church and was currently attending and singing in the choir at Bethel Baptist Church. Maxine loved to bowl, roller skate and obsessed over watching tennis. Maxine‘s obsession of tennis went as far as setting her alarm for the early hours to watch a tennis match live. Maxine’s great passion was her love of Great Dane dogs. Some she adopted as puppies and some she had rescued. She had cared for over 15 in her lifetime. She is survived by her rescue Jack Russell Terrier, Skippy and her Great Dane, Isaiah, who accompanied her to City Hall, the bank, to Melton Jewelers and even to Hinchliff-Pearson West Funeral Home. Maxine’s license plate read SIC MMM.
A Memorial Visitation will be 1:00-3:00 pm Sunday, December 29, 2019 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Prayers will be prayed at 3:00 pm by her son, Jim. Cremation will be accorded. Memorials may be made in Maxine’s name to the Guardian Angel Humane Society. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com
