Maxine Tillman Kendrick

Maxine Tillman Kendrick, a woman of warmth and grace, passed away on February 10, 2024, at Tallahassee Memorial Hospice Care after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on March 22, 1942, to the late L. Mac and Floyce Vickers Tillman, Maxine's life was a tapestry of love and cherished moments.

Maxine enjoyed a delightful childhood. In her early years, Maxine and her mother temporarily resided with Mrs. Rilla Hall in Hahira, GA, while her father served as a paratrooper in WWII. Upon his return, the family relocated to Columbia, S.C., where they spent the following eight years. These years were filled with many adventures that the family shared with Maxine’s beloved Aunt Maggie, Uncle Dennis, Uncle David, and cousins. Summers were particularly special to Maxine, and she split them between both sets of grandparents. Her Grandma Tillman taught her valuable skills, including knitting, crafting, and puzzle-solving, and instilled in her many Scottish traditions. She cherished the "summer camp" atmosphere on her Vickers grandparents' farm, where she learned to make biscuits for the farm hands and enjoyed shelling peas on the porch. In addition, Maxine was a wonderful sibling. She was 13 years old when her sister was born, and Maxine embraced her role as a big sister. She spent endless time with her sister, Su Beth, and the two shared countless laughs and memories.

Maxine graduated from Valdosta High School in 1960, leaving behind a legacy of camaraderie and lasting friendships. During her high school years, she met her future husband, Joe, and their courtship unfolded into a remarkable 54-year marriage. Maxine was industrious, driven in every aspect of her life, and succeeded at whatever she did. For instance, she and Joe hand-dug the foundation of their family home, and it was here that she excelled at gardening, often sharing an overabundance of produce with family and friends. Later in life, Maxine organized countless trips abroad, traveling to Scotland to visit the village of her cherished grandmother, in addition to many other trips with her husband and other family members.

As a young mother, Maxine was known for her vibrant spirit. She rode bikes with her beloved children, Robert and Jennifer, sewed clothes for them, and took them to the pool to swim on hot summer days (which were plenty in the heat of the South!). Her role as a grandmother brought even greater joy, as she relished playing with her grandchildren, Ashley and John. Maxine would often “steal” the grandkids for extended periods, and her greatest joy was seeing them as frequently as possible. She organized trips to Disney World and celebrated every moment with a birthday cake (regardless of whether anyone was celebrating an actual birthday!). Before she had grandchildren, she served as a second grandmother to her niece, teaching her to play jacks and buying matching swimsuits for summers spent at Maxine’s pool. There is no denying the indelible mark Maxine made on her immediate and extended family's lives; each one is better for having known her.

Aside from the time spent with her family, Maxine worked off and on outside the home in banking as her family moved from Jacksonville to Tallahassee, Florida. She continued her education in Tallahassee, graduating from FSU with a degree in Finance. She later worked for the State of Florida’s retirement system as an internal auditor until her well-deserved retirement. Maxine dedicated over two decades of her post-retirement years volunteering as a TaxAide with the Senior Center in Tallahassee. Here, she formed enduring friendships and touched many lives, providing invaluable assistance to others.

With her warm personality, quick wit, can-do spirit, and loving nature, Maxine will be deeply missed by her friends and family. Her legacy lives on through her children, Robert Kendrick (Renea) and Jennifer Sasser (Kenneth), grandchildren Ashley Sasser, John Sasser, and Alexia Hogan (Nick), great-granddaughter Penelope Hogan, sister Su Beth Garland (Bill), niece Casey Colson (Hunter), brother-in-law Jack Kendrick, and numerous other nieces, nephews, and cousins. Maxine's impact on the lives she touched, her love for family, and her dedication to helping others will be remembered with fondness and gratitude.

A private family service was held and Maxine was buried at Friendship Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.mclanecares.com

Carson McLane Funeral Home