Maxine Spalding

Maxine Dawkins Spalding was born on June 16, 1923, on a farm outside Montrose, MS.

She attended school in Montrose, then Jones County Jr. College at Ellisville, MS. When WWII began she quit college and went to Jackson Commercial College in Jackson, MS.
Her first job was at Ordnance Plant, Flora, MS, then recruiting office in Jackson, MS. She decided she wanted to live on Gulf Coast so she transferred to the recruiting office Gulfport. She then went to work for Keesler Air Force Base in 1949. She married a service man and they transferred to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, then to Patrick Air Force Base and later back to Keesler AFB for three more years and retired from service.

Following this, she worked for the Dept. of Defense for more than 33 yr., at Keesler AFB she worked for 13 Technical School Commanders. After retirement, Maxine became very involved in her church "First United Methodist" in Gulfport. She sang in the Adult & Senior choir. At one time she served as Chair Person for the Van Committee, but most of her time was spent in charge of the Senior Adult activities. Many trips were taken to LA, N.C., Arkansas and Missouri. Many garage sales held for the church and thousands of dollars made mainly to pay off the church van. Other money making projects included St. Patrick's Day Luncheon with 27 tables of bridge.

In 1994 Maxine married Bill Spalding. They did a lot of bridge playing and took trips to CA, N.C., FL and other locations. Bill had 2 sons, John (Frankie) who lives in N.C., Fred (Veronica) who live in Oregon and Sally who now lives in Southport, N.C. A Granddaughter, Cherish who resides in CA.

Maxine was pre-deceased by her husband Bill, her parents, Robert E. L. Dawkins (father), Pinkie Read Dawkins (mother), Melba Spatzer (sister), Robert D. Dawkins Sr. (brother) and Dick Spatzer (special nephew).

She is survived by: Glenda Dawkins, Vancleave, MS (sister-in-law), Sally Spalding, Southport, N.C. (step daughter). Nieces; Mirinda Dawkins, Vancleave, MS and Rochelle (John) Daley, Vancleave, MS. Nephews; Thomas (Yvonne) Spatzer, Grand Bay, AL, Robert (Rose) Dawkins, Marietta, GA and numerous grandnieces.

A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME. 11280 Three RIvers Road, Gulfport.

Memorials may be made to Harrison County Humane Society, Harrison County Retardation Center, 1st UMC of Gulfport or a charity of one's choice.