Maxine H. French, of Dixon, was born on March 15, 1940, a daughter of Floyd Memory and Margaret Adeline "Addie" (Dake) Lawson, and departed this life at 5:43 p.m., Wednesday, November 16, 2016, in the Capital Region Medical Center, Jefferson City. She had attained the age of 76 years, 8 months, and 1 day.


Maxine was united in marriage on November 12, 1958, at Dixon, to Norman Eugene French. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman, on January 26, 2007; one daughter, Betty Wagner, on September 26, 2014; her father, Floyd, on February 12, 1967; her mother, Addie, on June 20, 2003; and one brother, Dean Lawson, on September 6, 2015.



Maxine accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and followed Him in baptism early in life and at the time of her passing was attending the Seaton Faith Fellowship Church near Dixon. She had been a preschool class Sunday school teacher. She and Norman owned and operated the Dixon Cleaners; she was also a waitress at J.R.'s Country Kitchen, Dixon, before becoming a cook at Shepherds's Drive-In for thirty years prior to her retirement. Maxine was also devoted housewife and homemaker, always diligent in providing for the needs of her family as well as enjoying camping, having lunch with friends, and going to gospel singings. She was fun to be around and was always jolly and friendly.


Those left to mourn the passing of Maxine include: Her children, Diane Evans (Jerry), Pocahontas, Arkansas; (son-in-law) Steve Wagner, Bland; Norma Martin (Donnie), Springfield; Janet Parker (Virgel) Dixon; Darrell French (Judy), Dixon; Judy Martin (Danny), Wentzville; Danny French, Dixon; and Leonard (Matt) Pelz (Chongme), Korea; eighteen grandchildren; thirty-four great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Carl Lawson (Marrietta), High Ridge; one sister, Linda Robinett, Dixon; and other relatives and friends.