Allen "Jack" Jay Maxwell, Sr.

Allen Jay Maxwell, Sr. “Jack” passed away on Friday, March 20th at the age of 89. Jack was predeceased by his wife Carolyn “Coot” and his son, Allen Jay, his parents and siblings. He is survived by this daughters, Cindy (Jeff) Isenhour and Alison (Crystal) Maxwell-Bish, his loved grandchildren Beau (Shana) and Jason (Christy) Isenhour, Katie, Seth (Jess) and Joshua (Samantha) Braun; and great-grand children Hannah, Ian, Maddie, Charlie and Avett Isenhour and Daniel Maxwell Braun. Jack is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Maggie Moyer, Deanna Maxwell and Linda Albright and numerous nieces and nephews. A graveside service at the Dallas Presbyterian Church cemetery at the corner of College and Church Street will be held on Tuesday, March 24 at 2:00 pm. The family invites everyone to share BBQ and fellowship at Dallas Methodist Church Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. Jack was born on April 1, 1936 to AJ and Ida Hoover Maxwell in Dallas, NC. From the very beginning, Jack’s life started with a story or a “tall tale”. He was told that after his home birth his parents paid the doctor two piglets. From that day forth, Jack was known as the memory keeper and storyteller of the family. Jack was predeceased by this siblings, Margaret M. Moore, PJ Maxwell and Rev. Robert Maxwell, each one so different, but yet they were all so alike. While growing up in Dallas, Jack and his family lived in numerous houses scattered throughout Dallas. His father built over 40 homes there and they would move from one to another as they were finished and AJ would sell them. He had many homes, but they were all within a one-mile radius. Jack grew up in a time where hot rods and big engines were the hobbies of choice. His idea of a good date was starting a dirt drag strip with Coot before the children came along. He loved his 32 Ford which he turned into a rat-rod and his 56 Corvette that his family quickly outgrew. While he had many cars, those two were the ones he wished he had kept. Jack built a home in Dallas beside his parents and started his family of three children on College Street. The house was small but the home was bursting with love and laughter of friends and extended family. Jack married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Albright the fall before she graduated high school and they were together until her passing. While like any union, theirs was not perfect, but it was strong and enduring. Jack took care of Coot after she became sick and fragile and saw her through to the end. Known as a storyteller extraordinaire, Jack would never let the truth get in the way of a good story. His knowledge of his hometown and county was amazing and in his later years, he poured through history books and had a family tree reaching back to their arrival in the United States, even before the internet. His favorite pastime was simply scooterpootin around the state and getting “lost” in its beauty. Jack was a quiet man in a crowded room, but the void his passing has left is wide. The family wishes to thank Stanley Total Living Center and the wonderful staff there and Carolina Caring Hospice and VIA Hospice who took such care with Jack during his final months. Jack’s Yearbook quote his senior year was “I was not going fast - just was flying low.” I am glad to say today Jack is flying high and fast in the presence of his family who prepared his place in heaven. Godspeed Jack!

Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, NC (704) 864-5144 is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at: www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com