Fannie Maxine Scott

On August 23, 1933 in Miami, Florida, Fannie Maxine Gordon Thompson Scott was born the third child of five in the family of McKinley and Regis Marshall Gordon. Because her parents travelled in their work, from the age of 18 months she was raised by her aunt and uncle “Mother Ethel” and “Daddy Herbert” Jones in Savannah, Georgia. Growing up to be a smart and beautiful young woman, she was their pride and joy.

Maxine matriculated through the public schools of Chatham County where she was an outstanding student graduating with honors from Albert E. Beach High School in 1950.  While in school she met a young man just returning home from the US Navy who stole her heart and had her relinquish her dream of being an English teacher for the reality of life as a navy wife.  To this marriage of 21 years three daughters were born.

At an early age Maxine accepted Christ.  She was first a member of Tremont Temple Missionary Baptist Church, her parents church; Connors Temple Missionary Baptist Church her aunt and uncle’s church and finally First Bryan Baptist Church, her mother-in-law’s church all in Savannah, Ga. She later converted to Catholicism, her husband’s faith.  Years later she united with the then Fountain of Pembroke Pines where her son-in- law was pastor. 

In 1965, Maxine moved with her daughters to Hollywood, Florida.  She would reside in the South Florida area for more than 40 years.  There she worked in banking and retail for many years.  Upon leaving the workforce, she became actively involved in her church and community based programs.  She especially enjoyed being part of the senior Volunteer Program of Broward County.

Maxine loved to have fun.  Any occasion was cause for celebration filled with music and her amazing dancing!  She loved to cook and entertain her family and friends.  She was the “hostess with the mostest.”   She especially loved birthdays when she’d cook the celebrant’s favorite meal and bake a birthday cake. She loved going on many excursions with her favorite cousins, short cruises on the Sea Escape and dinner cruises on the Jungle Queen.

After much persuasion, Maxine finally decided in 2012 to move to Jacksonville, Fl where her two older daughters live.  As her health declined, she was blessed to have a loving caregiver, Wanda Harrell, who treated her like a mother. Together they went to the Conviva Senior Center, Truth Ministry’s Thursday Bible Study with pastor Coby, church events, thrift shopping, and lunching especially at the Juicy Crab Seafood Restaurant.

Maxine loved her family, especially her grandchildren and was always willing to take in new members. In addition to her own girls, she had a host of adopted sons and daughters, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews.  She loved them all and didn’t hesitate to let anybody know about their accomplishments.   Not only did she encourage them, she was willing to share whatever she had with them.  Her standard parting questions to everyone were, “Why don’t you take something with you?” and “Do you need a little gas money?”

Maxine Scott was caring, but did not bite her tongue!  She commented on the appropriateness of attire, hairstyles, manners, and most of all speech.  She corrected everybody’s grammar especially Steve Harvey’s as she watched her beloved game shows.

She was lovingly called by many names…Fannie (which she tried to drop) Fannie Mae, Maxine, Max, Ms. Scott, Mother Scott, Mom Maxi, Nana, Granny, Grandma Max, Tom , Aunt Fannie and Ms. Velvety for her voice quality and Mama all of which hold special meaning to the individuals who use them. 

Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of her daughters, Cheryl Nelson (Dennis), Janice Newman, and Teresa Lomax (Wayne); surrogate daughter, Deborah Latson; surrogate son, Willie Spry, Jr.; ten grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; special niece, Jenny Reid; cousins, Albert Stephens (Joangela), Carletha Felton, loving caregiver, Wanda Harrell; and many other loving family members and friends.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Northside is serving the family.

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