Blanche McCraw Maxsell

Blanche McCraw Maxsell, 93, of Mount Airy, Maryland, passed from this life on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at Lorien in Mount Airy, MD

Born on July 31, 1929 in Gaffney , South Carolina. She was the daughter of Forest Anonymous McCraw and Blanche (Ankers) McCraw. Blanche was an only child but growing up Rosalie Bowey was like a sister to her but passed on in 2004. When the war came along her mother took the civil service exam to work at one of the jobs the men left behind. Blanche attended Ellicott Junior High and Eastern High School in Washington D.C. 

Blanche Maxsell  started out as a medical receptionist at Walter Reed Hospital for 4 years and married Robert Adams Maxsell in 1950 . After, she took some time off to be a stay-at-home- mom. Well perhaps not strictly stay-at-home. For ten of the 20 years Blanche drove a school bus. When she and Robert divorced in 1974, she started working 2 jobs adding a hostess at hot shops to her plate.  

She came to the Defense Mapping Agency in 1979 as a secretary. She worked in Bethesda, Tysons, Merrifield and the Naval Observatory with NGA. Blanche was a mainstay around the agency. She was known for being the breath of sunshine who would greet you each morning with a hug and smile. No matter how rough a day you were having, once you entered the NGA headquarters you would have a better day. Blanche became known as the “cake lady”. She started baking at the early age of eight years old. She had a dog that was run over and needed vet care. She did not have the money to pay a vet, but bartering was big during the depression so she offered the vet a cake if he would set the dog’s leg. He did and she has been baking ever since. Blanche put the same amount of time and love into raising her four children, and twelve grand children. She never liked cooking for one person so she would cook large pots of food to share with her family. 

 In 1994, she retired from DMA which later became NGA. However, in true Blanche fashion she continued to work as a security guard in the same building. She liked being around the folks she knew and didn’t really want to retire. She exercised every day. She would get up at 1am every morning, exercise around 3 or 4, then go on duty at 5 and get off work at 1:30 in the afternoon. She attributed her good health to exercises by Jack LaLane which she continued up until her early 90’s. As Blanche aged she found comfort and care in doctor Dawn Broderick. Doctor Broderick was Blache's guardian angel, as she would say. Looking after her through doctor visits when she developed medical conditions that needed higher level care. However, it was the love that made their bond so special. 

Blanche enjoyed her time spent with friends and her church family. She always had a strong faith in God in her own life and preceded to take her children and even grandchildren to Montgomery Hills Baptist Church in Silver Spring, MD. Under the love and care of the Hawthorne family, Montgomery Hills Baptist Church was more than just a church to Blanche it was like “home”, when she was there she was in the presence of the lord and she would radiate happiness. 

Blanche Maxsell was a true Matriarch of the family. Her life was full circle. She was an inspiration to so many and definitely made this world a better place. She is survived by Daughter, Cheryl Bettinger, Son, Robert Adams Maxsell II and Julie Maxsell. Grandchildren: Candice Marchone, Summer Appler, Michelle Krout, Melanie Church, Lindsey Reese, James Huss, Jessica Maxsell, Sara Maxsell, Taylor Maxsell, Connor Maxsell, and Nicholas Maxsell. 
Great Grandchildren: Shane Appler, Grace Krout, Kinsley Church, Riley Krout, Hunter Reese, Blake Appler, Brodie Church, and Colton Reese.

Blanche was predeceased by her, daughter, Linda Huss, Son, Scottie Maxsell, Granddaughter, Kelly Huss. 

A celebration of Blanche’s life journey will take place at Montgomery Hills Baptist Church 9727 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 on Saturday, September 3rd at 1 o’clock with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall. 

Memorial donations may be made to Montgomery Hills Baptist Church. 

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com