Maxine Newton

Maxine Newton was born on March 4, 1930, in Tyra Hallow, Jackson, Kentucky. Her birth certificate reflects the date of March 15th for her birthday as that was the midwife's recollection by the time she got to town. Maxine was born to Nora Mae (Roberts) and Martin Daniel Perkins. Maxine was the eldest of seven children: Forrest (Barbara); Luther Columbus; Christine (Robert); William Ray (Patricia); Philip Boyd (Kris); and Harold Eugene (Sherry).

Maxine married Robert Newton on March 22, 1949. They had six children, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Robert Steven Newton (Deb)[Linda, Carol] Eric, [Sarah] Maisey, Keith (Jennifer) Ellie Mae, Samuel; David Allen Newton (Doris) Barbara (Thomas) Adam, Lucas; Elizabeth Ann Willis (Larry) Greg (Nikki) Ethan and Shae; Catherine Louise Vaughn (Danny) Martin Daniel, deceased, Maxwell, Madeline, and Bernard; Rebecca Emmons (Daniel) [Kenneth] Robert Daniel Romes, deceased, and Sarah Walker (Shawn) Charlotte, Logan and Evelyn; Mark Newton (Nicole)[Jennifer] Abbey, Claire and Peyton.

During Maxine's early life the family lived close to other family in the hills of Kentucky. Her father mined coal and worked farms to provide for the family. During those days children were also expected to do their fair share and Maxine learned to cook, clean and care for children while still a child herself. By the age of 10 she was working summers in the fields, long, hot days filled with sweaty work. The family migrated to Indiana and then to Michigan where there were factories looking for workers.

Maxine and Robert were teenagers in the same neighborhood. Robert's mother chose Maxine for his wife (gave hearty approval) because she knew he would be taken care of.

Maxine and Robert struggled like most newlyweds with 4 children arriving in quick succession. Maxine was very good at stretching a dollar and always had a large garden, and chickens as well as other animals. She fed a lot of people. The house was always full of friends and relatives.

While Maxine was an outstanding student, she had to quit school in the 8th grade when her younger sibling was born and her mother had complications from the pregnancy and birth and needed her help. While not being formally educated was something she missed, she continued learning and taking classes throughout her life as time would allow. She never stopped reading and learning. She went through several courses with the American Red Cross and was a hospital volunteer. Maxine worked mainly as a homemaker but she also sold Avon and worked cleaning the Galesburg post office. She took care of her parents when they could no longer drive themselves. Eventually her father required round the clock care and she helped her mother stay independent as long as possible.

After Bob retired, Maxine wanted to have a place in Kentucky. They bought a new mobile home and had it installed in what is now Newton Hollow, next to a cabin on the property. David, Doris and Barbie moved to Kentucky too.

Maxine wanted to check out Florida for a winter so she and Bob did. They both missed their family too much and decided to buy another house in Michigan. They bought the property on East Michigan Avenue in Comstock. Church and Sunday supper was again a Newton institution for years until it could no longer be managed.

Maxine's love for her family is legend. She loved her husband and she loved Jesus.

Maxine went home to our Lord Jesus Christ on February 16th, 2026, at her home with family in attendance.

May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you: the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6: 24-26.

Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.