Russell Whitney Maxwell, 89, of Pensacola, FL, passed away at home surrounded by his family, on Thursday, March 13, 2025. He was born November 29, 1935, in Jacksonville, FL.

On March 11, 2025, Russell and Delores marked their 69th wedding anniversary. The couple first met in grade school through their friendship with her brother Ernest. Russell would often walk from his parents' farm in Pine Forest to visit his best friend Ernest on Jackson Street. Russell became like part of the McArthur family. He also joined the family at Gadsden Street UMC where they were active in the youth group. Dee says she had her eye on Russell from the beginning, and over the years their romance blossomed.

After graduating from Pensacola High School in 1953, Russell joined his father in the family painting business.

When best friend Ernest was drafted, Russell also enlisted in the Army. After completing basic training and signal school, he received orders for deployment to Germany. Delores and Russell quickly planned a wedding so they could begin their lives together there. The Army interfered with their plans for a Saturday evening wedding, but they were not deterred. The wedding took place before Sunday services at 8am on March 11th, 1956, at her home. In Germany, Russell found an apartment and prepared a place for them. Meanwhile, Delores worked at the City Parks and Recreation Department to save money for the airfare to join him. During the years they spent in Stuttgart, Germany, they welcomed their first child, David.

Upon his discharge from the Army, the family returned to Pensacola and bought their first home. Russell returned to the family painting business and served in the Army Reserve. The family further expanded to include Mona and Carole.

Although Russell went on to work at Monsanto in research and development for 23 years and obtained his Real Estate license, he never lost his love for the craft of commercial painting and wallpaper hanging. He continued this work over the years. His attention to detail and the quality of his work was unsurpassed.

In 2000, Russ and Dee embarked on a new adventure. They left the home they had built to live in a 600-square-foot caretaker cottage at Miracle Camp in Beulah, FL. For 5 years Dee served Miracle Camp as operations director and Russell served as maintenance coordinator. This would turn out to be his dream job. Miracle Camp served children with chronic illnesses. Together, they brought joy to children and their families and grew in their love for each other and for God. After serving at Miracle Camp, they both returned to work at Sacred Heart Hospital.

Russell was a quiet servant leader, leading by example. This was apparent in the loving parenting of his children. Russell stepped in as a father figure to Carole's children in a time of need, providing support and stability for her, Dana, Cole and Jana.

The church community was important to Russell and to Delores. As Chairman of Trustees at Gadsden Street UMC, he spent untold hours being a steward and maintaining the building. Russ served as a leader with youth, often driving them on trips. He and Dee led Sunday School classes and small groups together. They also enjoyed the fun, fellowship, and support of their church friends.

In addition to serving in and through the church, he helped his community through his membership in the Loyal Order of the Moose where he served as Governor of his local Moose Lodge. His acts of service also included driving for Meals on Wheels and mentoring students at Ensley Elementary.

Russell was a man of faith. He believed in Jesus from an early age but was not sure that he had ever been baptized. Feeling it important to make a public profession of faith, he was baptized at Saint Luke UMC on December 1, 2019.

Russell will be deeply missed by his family, friends, church, and community. He was a strong man with a strong heart. He was someone who could build anything he set his mind to, including significant expansions to their family homes.

Russell's family is confident that after a well-deserved rest, he will be working with love to plan, prepare, expand, and paint the Maxwell mansion in heaven for Delores and all of us who will one day join him.

He is preceded in death by his parents Percy and Willie Mae Maxwell and his siblings Betty, Billie, and Phillip.

Russell is survived by his wife, Delores McArthur Maxwell; children, David Maxwell (Cindy), Mona La Branche (Mark), Carole Mathis (David); grandchildren, Matthew, Brad, Emily, Robert, Dana, Cole, and Jana; great grandchildren, Emily, Magnolia, Owen, Ella, Henry and Clara; his siblings, Richard Maxwell (Nita), Shirley Maxwell (Patrick), and special family members, Bob and Lynne Barnes and their children Abigail and Grace.

A celebration of life and service of resurrection will be held at Saint Luke United Methodist Church on Monday, March 17, 2025. A Visitation will be held at 10am until a Memorial Service begins at 11am. A private interment service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery in the coming days.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Saint Luke UMC Mission Fund or a charity of your choice.