Lillie Maxie Obituary

Lillie "Louise" Garrett Maxie

Aug 6, 1927 - Dec 30, 2022

Sandusky

Mother Lillie "Louise" Garrett Maxie was born Aug. 6, 1927, in Alpine, Alabama, to Mr. Gustava M. Garrett Sr. and Mother Mattie B. (Riggins) Garrett. At an early age, she united with Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Alpine, Alabama.

In 1946, she traveled to Sandusky and worked various jobs including Brownlee, Isley, Philco, and Providence Hospital, just to name some. In 1956, she started working at Ford Motor Company, where she walked there until she purchased her a Ford to drive. Then, for the next 30 years, she was one Ford Motor Company dedicated worker, retiring in 1986. During those 30 years, she decided to further her horizon, so she worked during the day and traveled in the evening to Herron Beauty College in Toledo to become a License Cosmetologist. She first worked in the shop of Sister Mary Lois Holman and then returning to get further hours to be her own manager and owner of "Louise Beauty Shop."

Still with a lot of vivacity in her, in the 1960s, she ventured into the world of business by purchasing The Lonnie's Tavern Barracks Restaurant from Lonnie Gant and it became Louise's Place Tavern Barracks Restaurant. Louise's Place Tavern Barracks Restaurant was heavily damaged in fire, so in the l970s, she and her husband, George D. Maxie, opened Maxie's Dining Room Restaurant, and these two establishments were both for enjoyment, entertaining, and quenching the thirst as well as supplying food for the nourishment of the body. In the 1970s, she married her long time beloved, George D. Maxie, that she met in the 1940s upon coming to Sandusky.

They were both business owners and community advocates by participating in BANG (Black Action Now Group), Christmas and Thanksgiving Give-A-Ways, Easter eggs hunts for the community, Sandusky Citizens Coalition, NAACP (National Advancement Of Colored People). The annual "Hog Roast" started out with the family and out of town guests, then the total community looked forward in having the annual "Hog Roast." This is just some of the community activities as well as organizations that her husband were a part of. However, there were a few he did not join with her because the organization were geared towards women, like Sandusky Club Of Black Business And Professional Women and The Fashionetts, where she was one of both a founding member as well as an active member until her did not permit her to participate.

She along with many other of the Fashionetts members traveled and brought home winning hair-dos. For many years, the Sandusky community looked forward to the Fashionetts giving style shows. However, her husband and she both participated together in the church, Second Baptist Church, where they both were very active. She was actively involved in several ministries including choirs, matron, missionary, mothers, pastor search, senior, Sunday school, trustee, and usher.

She leaves to cherish her memories her son, Robert G. Garrett; daughter, LaJune James; grandchildren, Stephen K. Garrett, Darrin Garrett, Brian Garrett, and Stephen, Deitra, Jeneshia, Lauren, Jared, Brenna, Chantel, Bail, Imagine, and Elise; caretakers, Cheryl Williams and Karen Williams; great-grandchildren, Camden and Amari; and a host of nephews and nieces.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, Derrick D. Dickey; and brothers, Bobbie L. Garrett Sr., Dwight Swain, and Gustava M. Garrett Jr.

A special thanks goes to the caretakers, Cheryl Williams and Karen Williams, Kenney and Maxie families, Shantae Fryson, ProMedica Hospice, and all of her nephews and nieces for stepping up when needed and asked.

Friends may call 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, until the time of Louise's funeral at 12 p.m. at Second Baptist Church, 315 Decatur St., Sandusky. Burial will follow at Meadow Green Memorial Park, Huron. Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, is handling arrangements.

Condolences may be made to the family by visiting toftfuneralhome.com.