Maxine Fowler Stevens
Maxine Fowler Stevens of The Woodlands, TX, formerly of Austin, TX, died Wednesday, June 26 at age 97.
Born July 25, 1921, in Lisbon, LA, to James Crad and Minnie Clements Fowler, she was the last survivor of seven children. Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, James Traxel Stevens after almost 66 years of marriage.
She is survived by her son, Barry and wife Gayla, of West Monroe, LA; daughter and former son-in-law, Linda Menn and Harry Menn of The Woodlands, TX; granddaughters, April Menn Dickerman (Ralph) of The Woodlands, TX; Jessica Stevens Thurman (Matt) of Ruston, LA; Jennifer Stevens Juneau (John) of Fort Worth, TX; and Jacqueline Stevens Kitchingham (Brock) of Monroe, LA. Great-Grandchildren Olivia Hamby, Elayne Kitchingham, Chandler Thurman, Elijah Juneau and Landis Juneau; one sister-in-law, Eva Fowler, and several nieces and nephews.
In August 2005, after 59 years in their beloved Austin, Maxine and Traxel moved to The Woodlands, TX, to be near their daughter.
Maxine was a graduate of Lisbon (Louisiana) High School and Louisiana College, Pineville, LA. She did graduate library work in Library Science at The University of Texas-Austin.
She taught in Louisiana public schools before moving to Austin in 1946. She worked with the Austin Public Library and the Texas State Teachers Association before joining the Austin Independent School District as an elementary librarian.
Mrs. Stevens was librarian at Pease, Mathews, and Highland Park elementary schools, and at old Austin High School on Rio Grande. She moved to Anderson High School in 1974, before retiring in 1986.
After retirement, Maxine volunteered at the LBJ Library, worked at the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, and catalogued and set up a library at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church in Austin.
For many years, she was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, International Society of Key Women Educators, and Austin Retired Teachers. She was active in retiree groups, Lifetime Learning Institute, the Nite Owls bee of the Austin Area Quilt Guild, and the “Mermaids” at Crenshaw Fitness Center.
Maxine volunteered her assistance in many ways, including making of banners for Northwest Hills United Methodist Church (Austin), where she was a charter member. She also worked with the Prayer Quilt group at Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church. Maxine had many friends and was a friend to many.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 29, at Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery in Sharon, LA. Dr. Steven Fowler will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s or a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.
Kilpatrick Funeral Home, West Monroe, LA
