Maxine Chabala-Wilcox

Maxine Chabala Wilcox was born on October 17th, 1942, in Owassa, Alabama, to Ernest Palmore and Eldra Hawthorne Palmeore. She was the firstborn of seven children. As the eldest grandchild, she was especially cherished by her maternal grandparents and spent a good part of her formative years with them and her favorite twin uncles, Sherman and Thurman Hawthorne.

From the very beginning, Maxine acknowledged her faith in God, professing her belief in Jesus Christ's birth, death, and resurrection by being baptized at Little Pine Level Baptist Church down by the fork in the road. Her grandpa Holly—or "Papa," as she called him—always instilled in her that Jesus Christ and education was the key to achieving everything she wanted in life.

Maxine established herself as a brilliant student, starting at Lincoln Elementary School, followed by Morning Star Christian School. Her education in Alabama culminated in her graduating at the top of her class from Conecuh County Training School. While at CCTS, she played center on the girls' basketball team, all while maintaining straight A's and working in the fields. Her hard work in the classroom, prowess on the basketball court and faith in God gave her the courage and tools to set out for Los Angeles to further her education and establish her place in the world.

While in L.A. she enrolled in business college and learned bookkeeping. Maxine also loved music and dancing and was very good at it so much so that she caught the eye a young Zambian doctor, Julius Chisanga Chabala. They eventually married and together, they welcomed the first two of Maxine's six children. Chisanga and Chashi. After Dr. Chabala's return to Zambia, Maxine returned to her roots, moving to Fort Lauderdale with her two children in tow. Her maternal grandparents welcomed them with open arms. Later she met and united with General Warren Wilcox. Once again Maxine and her small family set out for California. This time to San Francisco where her union to Mr. Wilcox produced the last four of her children. Fitzgerald, Eldra, Yushea and Warnessa. It was there that she made her home for nearly 30 years. While there she worked as a bookkeeper, a social worker and played a huge part in the redevelopment of the Bayview Hunter’s Point area alongside Ms. Bertha Freeman.

Maxine never forgot Papa’s teaching. She knew she had to further her education. She enrolled first at San Francisco City College, then earned a scholarship to the University of San Francisco from the San Francisco 49ers. This scholarship came with season tickets for all the 49er games and the Warriors games which led to lifelong friendships with such players as Bruce Taylor, Cedric Hartman, Nate Thurman and Rick Berry. Needless to say she was an avid fan up until her last days she was still keeping up with what player got traded to what team.

Finally earning her degree and teaching credentials she began her teaching career in San Francisco’s Protrero Hill.

Even while teaching her entrepreneurial spirit would not rest. She opened several businesses while in the bay area. There was Max’s detail shop servicing all the major car dealerships. There was Max’s bookkeeping and income tax service and a plethora of other small businesses. Never afraid of trying new streams of income the now single mom raising six kids discovered Princess House products and became District Manager earning trips around the world including Spain, Paris, Toronto and Hawaii.

Her family began to grow again. In 1978 she earned the title Grandmommy by welcoming her first grandchild. And they never stopped coming; more grandchildren then great grandchildren and even great great grandchildren. Besides nurturing her own growing family she fostered a great number of at risk children. This eventually led to her playing an integral role in the founding of first Positive Options family services then Wynnspring Family Resource Agency.

Still she wanted to do more. Being an expert seamstress Maxine opened a one stop bridal shop in Rancho Cordova employing several family members. She specialized in creating beautiful weddings at reasonable prices. Not only was Maxine smart and classy but she was outwardly beautiful as well. People often commented on her beautiful skin so what did she do? She created her own skincare line called Chabala Creations. Maxine finally retired from teaching after a decades long career in the San Francisco, Sacramento and San Juan Unified school districts.

She never stopped learning and she never stopped teaching others what she learned in fact she was well into her 70s when she earned her last degree from the University of Phoenix.

Even with all of her secular accomplishments she never neglected her walk with The Lord. During her sojourn in San Francisco she was an active member of the Union Springs Missionary Baptist church under the late Rev. Samuel Morgan. After moving to the Sacramento area she joined Trinity Baptist church Under the leadership of the late Pastor Sylvester Howard Sr. She was active in the senior mission and taught BTU. Her pet project at Trinity was her annual 100 women in white program which she said came to her in a dream.

Maxine was a trailblazer paving a path for countless individuals to better their stations in life. She opened her doors to the motherless and the downtrodden. She didn’t talk about it she lived it. Her motto was if you give enough people what they want you’ll always have what you need. God first then family.

Greeting her in heaven are her parents Ernest and Eldra Palmore, her granddaughter Kenisha Wilcox and her nephews Bart Whittle and Josh Moorer.

Maxine leaves to continue her legacy her six children Chisanga Chabala (Jeanean), Chashi Chabala, Kenneth Wilcox, Eldra Beck, Yushea Wilcox and Warnessa (David) Wilcox Caballero. 22 grandchildren lots of great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. siblings Edward Palmore (Bonnie), Bobby Palmore (Ardella), Mary Moorer (Joshua), McClinton Palmore (Marsha) Clydean Powell (Casper) and Jeri Williams. Goddaughter Sheryl Fondel Thomas, Lifelong friends Barbara Johnson and Loretta Agers and a host of nieces and nephews bonus children and grandchildren.