Jane Maxine Curtis, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher and photo journalist, died Jan. 15, 2005.
Born in Oklahoma on Dec. 22, 1913, Maxine lived in Springfield and Hoxie, Ark., before moving to Willow Springs where she lived for over 60 years.
Maxine was an active member of the United Methodist Church for over 75 years, a member of the United Methodist Women, a Sun-day school teacher and a promoter of international projects benefiting those in need. She was a strong-willed individual with a deep faith and a sense of purpose for her life.
A lifelong learner and teacher, Maxine taught in one-room schools after graduating from high school and completing a year of teacher preparation.
Married to Edgar Curtis in 1938, Maxine devoted her time and energy to raising daughter, Barbara, and sons, Robert and Danny. She participated in their school activi-ties and served as den mother.
In her 50s she returned to col-lege, taking classes at SMSU-West Plains, earning credits needed to be a substitute teacher. She worked in the Willow Springs school system for several years.
Later in life she achieved a new career as photo journalist, and had articles published in the Ozark Mountaineer, Springfield News-Leader, Kansas City Star and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She is also well-known by many for her “Jack in the Pulpit” columns in the West Plains Daily Quill.
Maxine is survived by her children, Robert Curtis and wife, Laura, and Barbara Spraker and husband, Jim; grandchildren, Tawnya Atkisson, Karey Quacken-bush, Michelle Nunamaker, Andy Curtis, David Spraker and Brent Spraker; great-grandchildren, Seth, Brianna, Curtis, Hannah and Saren Atkisson, Brady, Deidre and Mishayla Quackenbush, Dalton and Mason Nunamaker, and Tristan and Kyle Spraker.
She was preceded in death by her son, Danny, and husband, Edgar; her parents, Mitch and Nora Quinn; two sisters and four brothers.
In 1999 Maxine was honored as a Gold Star Mother in recognition of the death of her son, Danny, in Korea in 1974.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the United Methodist Committee on Overseas Relief (UMCOR) in care of The United Methodist Church, 311 North Har-ris, Willow Springs, MO 65793.
