Born as Celia Wear, Maxine got her new name from her sister Ernestine who borrowed it from a brand of soap. Unlike the soap, the name stuck around and lasted until Maxine had twelve grandkids. And from then on she was simply “Nana.”
Maxine died peacefully at EAMC-Lanier Hospital on February 27, 2022, a Sunday. (Sunday was her favorite day because she loved Jesus like a best friend.)
In 1932, Maxine was born at home in the small town of Archer, FL. She was the eleventh of twelve children, and because of that, for her whole life she enjoyed lots of action and laughter, including group sports. The school bus would make a special stop at the Wear house just so it could pick up half the team on its way to basketball games. Maxine was called Dead-Eye Wear in high school due to her outside shot which she happily demonstrated, well into her seventies, to any grandchild who asked.
After high school, Maxine met the love of her life, Bill, and they married in 1954. She began her Nursing career at EAMC Hospital as Bill completed studies at Auburn University. Eventually Maxine stayed at home to raise their four daughters who were her greatest joy. At 40 years old, she found herself on a tennis court and never looked back. She became a phenomenal doubles partner, and she and her best friend Jann regularly beat teams half their ages. Maxine was determined to play tennis the maximum amount without sacrificing any duties as a mother, and this meant tennis skirts were worn to all events and carpool pick-ups in the afternoon were dependably 15 minutes late. Maxine achieved a Level One Pro status in tennis and served as a Tennis Instructor at Callaway Gardens for twenty years.
Her generous spirit was community-wide. Bill and Maxine never missed Sunday School, Church, Prayer Meetings, Fellowship Dinners, Holiday Caroling, and they always were first in line to serve. Later in life, Maxine continued to love well and be well loved. Every evening including the final one, Maxine and Bill would sit with their group of friends that they call Yardbirds and talk about the topic of the day, or play games, or listen to Scripture. She lived a life full of love and laughter and sometimes heartbreak.
“I tell you, whoever acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8 When Maxine prayed, she wasn’t talking TO Jesus but talking WITH Him. Today Maxine is STANDING with Him in unimaginable glory!
Maxine is survived by the love of her life for 67 years, William Russell Frazer; daughter Terri (Tom) Darden; daughter Tami Robison; daughter Tina (Bryant) Buchner; daughter Traci (Patrick) Martin; Bud Robison. Grandchildren Hayley Darden, Frazer Darden, Grace Robison, Sophie Robison, Will Buchner, Jeb Buchner, David Buchner, Tanner Martin, McLane Martin, Andie Martin. Maxine will be running toward Jesus and her grandchildren who preceded her: Alex Darden and Carson Buchner.
Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Lanett on Wednesday March 2, 2022 at 3:00pm EST. The family will receive friends for Visitation at the church after the service. If you wish, memorials can be made to your favorite charity or to Samaritan’s Purse International.
Reverend Brad Reed will be officiating. Services have been entrusted to Bluffton Funeral Services, Lanett, Alabama.
For online condolences please visit www.blufftonfuneralservices.com.
