Ruth Maxine (Major) Ornburn passed away on June 8, 2018 at 1:06 a.m. at Moberly Regional Medical Center at the age of 90. Ruth Maxine (Major) Ornburn was born on August 2, 1927 near Moberly. She was the daughter of Arch Scott Major and Annie Maude (Davis) Major.
She was the youngest daughter and final survivor of a family of 10 children- 5 boys and 5 girls and was always known as “Maxine”. She graduated from Moberly Junior College, lower division, in 1945. She went to work immediately after graduation at Brown Shoe Factory making military footwear during World War II.
On June 1, 1946, Maxine married Lloyd Edward Ornburn in Moberly. Lloyd and Maxine were married for 66 years, prior to Lloyd preceding her in death in 2012. Lloyd and Maxine have two children, Gary Ornburn and Kristee Ornburn, both of Moberly.
After raising her children, Maxine worked in the school system and the Senior American Multipurpose Center as a cook at the time of her retirement. She also volunteered at the Senior Center after her retirement. She was a life-long member of the Carpenter Street Baptist Church where she faithfully attended as long as her health allowed.
She assisted with Vacation Bible School in the past and assisted with many church dinners. She was a member of the Moberly Area Junior College Alumni Association. Maxine was devoted to her family, loved to cook and was known as a really good cook.
Family gatherings usually ended up at “Lloyd and Maxine’s” and there was always room for more. She enjoyed gardening and preserving foods, with strawberry jam being her specialty. She was a kind and caring person and loved to help others- she was always looking for ways to help others and did not let failing health stop her.
Maxine Ornburn is survived by her children, Gary Ornburn and Kristee Ornburn of Moberly; brother and sisters-in-law, Jim and Anita Ornburn of Panama City Beach, Fl, Glen and Ronda Ornburn of Auburn, WA and Bill and Cindy Ornburn of Decatur, Al, sisters-in-law, Jimmie Burrell of Marietta, GA and Gladys Major of Moberly, numerous nieces and nephews including special nieces Gayle Haak and Crystal Warren and special friends Marla Butts and Beverly Holder. Memorials are suggested to Carpenter Street Baptist Church and Heritage Baptist Church. Words of comfort and support may be shared with the family at the visitation, which will be, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Cater Funeral Home.
Services honoring and celebrating Maxine’s life will be Thursday, June 14, 2018, 10:00 a.m. at the Cater Funeral Home Chapel. Committal prayers and burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery.
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