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Life Services availabe on YouTube Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

Mother Pearleva D. Minatee Maxwell was born December 12, 1932 in Pelham, Georgia, the baby girl of eleven children to the late Anderson and Idella Minatee. Raised in a household with strong family morals, her abiding love, confidence and beautiful spirit would shine throughout her blessed life.

Her Love for Christ:

Mother Maxwell was baptized at age twelve. Her faith in God, and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ was demonstrated in every aspect of her life. In earlier years, she served diligently at Union Baptist Church in Camilla, Georgia.  After relocating to Tallahassee, Florida, she continued her service at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church through many auxiliaries.  Additionally, she dutifully held many leadership positions in the First Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Association, Inc. and the Congress of Christian Education.  A woman of great faith, she served as church mother of the Greater Blessings Tabernacle of Praise in Tallahassee, Florida under the leadership of her son-in-law, Rev. Dr. DeWayne Harvey, until her health began to fail.  Her favorite scripture was Psalm 23 and her life was a testament to the scripture's meaning that God always protects and provides. She was an inspiration and steadfast guiding light to the Church's young women, men, and families.

Her Love for Education and Community:

Mother Maxwell graduated from Rockdale High School in Camilla, Georgia in 1951. She furthered her education at Ft. Valley State College in Fort Valley, Georgia, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Library Science in 1956.  Pearleva's passion for education is symbolic of her legacy as manifested in her children and grandchildren which includes entrepreneurs, social workers, an accountant, a doctor, a pharmacist, project managers, and a circuit court judge.  She inspired and educated many lives while working as a professional educator in the Mitchell, Thomas, Leon, and Gadsden County school systems. Pearleva specialized in and had an affection for her death, blind and developmentally challenged students. Determined to reach her full potential, Pearleva returned to school in 1973 to receive a Master's degree with specialization in Reading from Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia.  In 2003, at the seasoned age of 71, she received yet another Master's degree in Adult Education from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida.  She gave back to her community many dedicated volunteer hours while working with the Foster Grandparent Program through Elder Care Services at Riley Elementary School in Tallahassee, Florida. Pearleva participated in several social organizations throughout her life.  She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Tallahassee, Florida.  A few of her many accomplishments included the Bronze Star Award, the Library Science Award from Georgia Academy for the Blind, the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award from Elder Care Services, the Woman of Light Awards from both the Westcoast and Greater Blessings Ministries, the Volunteer Service Award from Bethel Towers, and the Service Award from the Tallahassee Association of Christian Women.  She was also a member of the Tallahassee Chapter National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc. and the Leon and Gadsden County Ministers and Layperson Union.

Her Devotion to her Family:

Mother Maxwell, at age 26, met and fell in love with the late James Maxwell. In Houston County, Georgia on July 8, 1958, they married and together raised five beautiful children:  Ella Vera, Janice Lynette, Donna Renee, Hubert Nugent, and Samella Dione.  Pearleva loved her children unconditionally and they rise up and call her blessed. Strength and dignity were her clothing. Her fifteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also call her blessed. She absolutely loved, supported, and undeniably bragged on them every opportunity she had.

A Jewel Forever Cherished:

Mother Maxwell was preceded in death by husband, James Maxwell; parents, Anderson and Idella Minatee; daughter Ella Vera Heath; granddaughter, Wendy Monez Heath; brothers, Samuel Minatee, Ishman Minatee, Steve Minatee; sisters, Leola Thomas, Mollie Mae Perry, Della Mae Wilson, Vertie Reed, Morrie Lee Brown, Charlie Mae Gilbert, and Luella Williams.

She  leaves to cherish her beautiful memory three devoted daughters:  Janice Lynette (Thomas)  Wilson of Suwannee, Georgia, Donna Renee (DeWayne) Harvey and Samella Dione Maxwell both of  Tallahassee, Florida; loving son Hubert Maxwell of Tallahassee, Florida, son-in-law, Morris Heath of Memphis, Tennessee; fifteen grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.