Anne Wells Maxwell
Anne Wells Maxwell, 81, passed away unexpectedly in her home in Hixson, Tennessee, early on Friday, December 6, 2024.
Anne was a lifelong resident of the Chattanooga area. She was a 1961 graduate of Chattanooga City High School, where she was a member of several academic honor societies, the flag core, and Junior Sertoma Club, among other activities. She attended the University of Chattanooga and graduated in 1965 with a mathematics degree and a minor in secondary education. She was a dedicated and proud member of the Chi Omega Sorority and later in her life served as an alumni advisor to her University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chi-O chapter. She maintained many of her Chi Omega sisters’ friendships throughout her life, particularly her best friend, the late Gail White Coulter.
Anne started her career as a teacher in the Memphis, Tennessee, school system, but as an expanding family and other opportunities presented themselves, she left teaching and became an entrepreneur. Anne was a co-owner of Northgate Flowers in Hixson, TN, along with her late husband, for 27 years. During her career Anne developed countless business and customer contacts, which she constantly sought to please. She directed the weddings of many delighted local couples. She also co-owned and managed the Christmas Place in Hixson. Through the years she employed many friends, relatives and wonderful employees, loved them all, and treated them all with kindness and respect (even Uncle John). After selling the businesses, Anne was a residential realtor for Prudential Realty in Hixson for over 10 years and particularly enjoyed discovering others’ houses’ decorating styles.
Anne was married to her high school sweetheart for 55 years. Together they raised two somewhat occasionally fairly perfect children and over the years lived in Brainerd, Signal Mountain, and then in a home in Hixson for over 45 years. She had and maintained many friends in each of these areas and was always glad to see them around town. Anne was a member of the Chattanooga Women’s Golf Association and, when she could play, could be found on local golf courses competing most every week. Anne took pride in being an integral part of the scoring team for the PGA tournaments held at Valleybrook Golf Club. She and her family were members & regulars at Valleybrook GC from 1974 to present day.
Anne was predeceased by her late husband, Carl Travis Maxwell, Jr., also a lifetime resident of Chattanooga, as well as her mother and father, James & Louise Wells, and Uncle John Wells.
She is survived by her son, Carl Travis (“Trey”) Maxwell III (wife Lisa) of Rockwall, TX, and her daughter, Anne Elizabeth Maxwell Rodgers of Cookeville, TN. Anne is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Emma Rodgers, Abby Rodgers (fiancée, Austin Dupree), Natalie Maxwell (partner Marvin Santos), and Sean Maxwell Murphy. Anne is likewise survived by 3 great grandchildren, Rose Leyva, Dylan Trey Santos, and Remy Leyva. She is additionally survived by her sister Carolyn Wells Schuster of Chattanooga (late husband Terry), brother James W. Wells, Jr. of Dothan AL (wife Thelma), & 3 nephews, 2 nieces, their respective spouses, and 4 great nieces & nephews.
Anne was a happy, friendly, & stylish person. She loved her family, friends, golf, the VOLS, the MOCS, Hallmark Christmas movies, and making sure her kids’ posture and grammar were correct. In later years she missed her afternoons on the links and was optimistic to the end about returning to the greens. She spent many Fridays at VBCC with her friends in this friendly social club. She was also a 51-year member of Hixson United Methodist Church, where she attended regular Sunday school when her health allowed, and thereafter streamed Sunday services.
The family will be receiving friends from 12-2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, at Hamilton Funeral Home in Hixson; to be immediately followed by a memorial service with the Rev. Mark Gooden officiating at 2 p.m., in the funeral home chapel. A reception will follow at El Jinete Restaurant, also in Hixson.
Flowers and other condolences can be sent to Hamilton Funeral Home, and the funeral home requests delivery before 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, the Chattanooga Police Department, Anne’s next door neighbors Steve & Glenna Mooneyham (who have gone above & beyond any expectations or requests the past 3.5 years), Doug Stephens & Christopher of Contract Flooring of Chattanooga, and longtime family friend John Coffelt, for their assistance and generosity during this difficult time.
God Bless you all and Merry Christmas.
Please share your memories of Anne with the family at www.hamiltonfhofchattanooga.com
Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343.