Hilda Maxine Russell

Maxine Russell (born Hilda Maxine Taylor) died peacefully in her home on July 1,2026 at the age of 94, surrounded by her three loving children: Cecily (Gary); Cynthia (Edward); and Tom (Christina). She leaves behind nine treasured grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Her beloved husband and partner in life, David, predeceased her in 2022.

Affectionately known as "Max" or "Mac" to family and friends, she was born in Langston, Alabama to Tom and Jennie Taylor. As the youngest of eight, her eldest siblings Bonnie and Bob helped raise her. She grew up living a very happy, rural life. In high school she became class secretary, editor of the school newspaper, and was voted most likely to succeed.

As a child, Maxine dreamed of having a piano but her family couldn't afford it. One day, a delivery wagon stopped at her father's country store carrying a piano. When the drivers came out of the store, the wagon had a flat tire. Her father got a bargain on the piano because the drivers had to unload it anyway to fix the flat. Soon, she was playing for churches and community events all over the area.

Maxine was the first woman in the family to go to college, attending Berea College (Kentucky), where she worked in the Music Listening Room. There, she fell in love with David, who she could tell was a serious music lover, as he would check out long works of music and listen for hours. The married in 1955 and lived a long and happy life together.

After graduating from Berea, the couple moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where Maxine taught music in the school system. They welcomed their first child Cecily, and less than a year later, they moved to Lincoln, Illinois, where Max taught music at the college part time. In Lincoln, they welcomed two more children, Cynthia (Cindy) and Thomas (Tom). In 1967 the family moved to Bowie, Maryland, where Maxine spent the rest of her life.

Maxine taught private piano lessons in her home studio to countless children including grandchildren and neighbors. Max and David played duets together and growing up, her children always fell asleep at night to the beautiful sounds of the piano. Maxine was an original member of the Bowie Music Teachers Association, and over the decades, served as President, Vice President and Secretary. The Music Teachers became her most cherished friends. At the age of 50, she went to Catholic University to study piano pedagogy. In 1985, she played an hours-long program from memory in a beautiful auditorium and received a Master's degree. Her family was so proud.

Maxine retired at the age of 86. She and David were season ticket holders with the Shakespeare Theater Company and loved to share their passions with their children and grandchildren. She loved to read mystery novels and watch PBS murder mysteries, especially Agatha Christie.

Maxine was wise, smart, practical, level headed, kind and steady. She was a force and while her absence leaves her family with an immense void, we know she'll always be with us. She loved "the circle of life", the St. Mathews Methodist community in Bowie, and singing and hearing hymns. She will live on in this life through the lessons and memories she's left with all of us. Every generation to come will undoubtedly hear stories of our unforgettable matriarch, Maxine.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.