Martha Ellen Maxwell's Obituary
Martha Ellen Maxwell, born December 9, 1928 in Dyer Tennessee; passed away on March 6, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. John Rex Maxwell, her son, Robert Scott Maxwell, her father and mother, Asa and Ellen Davidson and her sister, Mary Beth Davidson.Dr. and Mrs. Maxwell were married in 1948. She graduated from Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and was named the top woman student in her class. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and, after graduation, was appointed Assistant Dean of Women at Southwestern 1952-55.Mrs. Maxwell was an innovative, enthusiastic, and inspiring leader in Memphis. She was tireless in her dedication to and promotion of the Memphis Symphony. She served as President of the Memphis Symphony League and headed one of its most successful fundraising campaigns. She served two terms as the first woman President of the Board of Directors, and after several other positions in the arts community, was named Executive Director of the Memphis Symphony in 1993. She is credited with having been a major force in saving the Symphony during its homeless years performing at Eudora Baptist Church prior to moving into the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.Before accepting her position with the Memphis Symphony, she served as president and Executive Director of the Memphis Arts Festival (1989-1993). The festival is one she first organized in 1984 as “Arts in the Park”. Her career with Memphis Arts Organizations spans almost two decades of successful leadership including: executive directorships of the Memphis in May International Festival from 1978-1982 (having founded and served as chairman for the Sunset Symphony in 1977 and 1978), the Memphis Shelby County Film, Tape and Music Commission from 1985-87, and campaign director for the Dixon Gallery and Gardens Fund in 1984.Mrs. Maxwell also served on boards for the Memphis Development Foundation , Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, United Way, Memphis Rotary Club, Shelby State Community College Foundation, LeBonheur, Les Passes, and was a member of the 1982 class of Leadership Memphis.She was the recipient of numerous awards including: Mortar Board, Belk Bible Medal, Outstanding Citizen Award (Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Francisco de Miranda Medal (Government of Venezuela), among others.She is survived her sister Jerry Davidson Thomas, by sons, John R. Maxwell, Jr. (Jule) and granddaughter Emma; Tom Maxwell (Joyce) and granddaughters Sarah and Ellen; David Maxwell and grandsons Daniel and Michael; and granddaughter, Kirby Maxwell Pettigrew (Josh).There will be a visitation on Thursday, March 13 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home and a memorial service at Idlewild Presbyterian Church at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 14 followed by a reception at the church.In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, The New Ballet Ensemble and School, the Education Fund at Idlewild Presbyterian Church or the arts organization of your choice.Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38119 (901) 767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”
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