Mary Elizabeth Butler Maxwell, of Charlotte, departed this life on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at her home.  She was born September 9, 1937 to Mattie Butler and James Houston.  She was the eldest of seven children.

Reared in Charlotte, Mary attended Isabella Wyche Elementary School, Second Ward High School and graduated from West Charlotte High School.

Determined to further her education, she worked days and attended Carver Junior College in the evening, graduating with honors with an Associate in Arts Degree in Secretarial Science. She pursued further studies in Communications at Winthrop College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Staff Development Center.

Her tenure with Charlotte-Mecklenburg began at Sterling High School, Independence Senior High School, and the Administrative Office Human Resources Department and the Superintendent's Office, Education Center.  She retired in March, 1989 after thirty dedicated years.

Her life was a testimony of giving and sharing her talent with others.  For nine years, she served with the late Dr. James F. Wertz, founder and producer of the Community Outreach Television Program, "The Hour of Opportunity," airing on Sunday morning on WSOC-TV, Channel 9.  There she made many friends across the Carolinas.

She had a special love for being around people, improving herself constantly intellectually, spiritually, educationally and culturally.

Mary was constantly awarded and recognized for her organizational skills and exemplary service to the Charlotte community.

Although she took an interest in a number of student organizations, she had a special interest in planning mentoring for at-risk school students.

At an early age, she exhibited  qualities of admirable talents which enhanced the lives of others, both within and beyond the Charlotte community.  All who knew her knew she was the epitome of service and caring.

She was a devoted life member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg and North Carolina Retired School Personnel Associations and chaired positions on the local, district and state levels.

Mary is especially remembered for her affiliations with the Afro-American Children's Theatre, Afro-American Culture Center, Black Political Caucus, Friends of Johnson C. Smith University, Community of 100 Women of Johnson C. Smith, Johnson C. Smith United Negro College Fund Cabinet, Charlotte Friends of the Arts, Charlotte Senior Center, School Workers Federal Credit Union, City-County Consolidation, Alpha Pi Chi and Zeta Pi Beta Amicae Sororities and Charlotte Chapter of Girl Friends, Inc. - are just a few.

She became a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church at an early age when it was (then) located on East Second Street in the Brooklyn Community.

She was very active in her church, formerly serving as Church Secretary, Church Treasurer, Church Clerk, Church Trustee, and in many other leadership roles.  Her experience and training prepared her for the Recording Secretary of the Mecklenburg General Baptist Association, and an Instructor for Deaconess in District 3 of the State Convention, and President of Mecklenburg's Sunday School and BTU Congress.

Mrs. Maxwell remained faithful to her church ministries until her death.

She was married to Chauncey Thaddeus Maxwell and they shared a special bond for 57 years. "C.T.", as he was affectionately know, shared her dreams and understood her calling to help others.  Mary was preceded in death by her parents and devoted husband; step-brother, Leroy Houston; her sisters, Alice Word and Sarah Caldwell and sister-in-law, Roma Butler.

Mary leaves a loving and caring daughter, Chauntina Sadler (Gregory); two beautiful granddaughters, Maryssa and Cecile' Sadler; siblings, James Butler, Edna Barnes (Oscar), Abbie Butler and Gerald Butler; brothers-in-law, Joe Word, Walter Maxwell (Becky) and Carey Maxwell; a host of nieces and nephews; special friend, Joe Green; and other extended family friends.