Maxine Meade Holbrook

Helen Maxine Meade Holbrook, age 90, died peacefully in her sleep early Saturday morning November 9, 2024, at NHC Oak Ridge.

Until a broken wrist landed her in the healthcare facility a few years ago, Maxine had always been an active member of the Clinton community. Quick-witted and outgoing, she attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville on a journalism scholarship awarded by Horace V. Wells of the Clinton Courier and pledged to Pi Beta Phi sorority. She married Joe Holbrook of Clinton, together raising a family and starting their own business, Holbrook Motors, Inc. They owned multiple franchises in East Tennessee and Kentucky for years with son Rodney before downsizing to pre-owned cars.

Maxine was a talented performer, easily picking out songs by ear on the piano, singing in church, and playing the trombone in high school band. She was a longtime member of The Wednesday Club, Timely Topics, Choral Group, and Garden Club, and regularly hosted bridge at her home. After retiring from the automobile business, Maxine worked as an assistant at the Clinton Public Library for several years, but her favorite retirement pastime was greeting friends as a local poll worker. Maxine was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Clinton and was frequently shadowed in services by her youngest granddaughter. She was an avid sports fan, especially of UT football and basketball. She loved being "Memaw" to her three granddaughters and attended their school and sporting events.

Maxine developed friendships everywhere she went. Her larger than life personality led to casual retellings of winning on the original Price is Right show during a trip to New York and meeting celebrities like singer Perry Como, music producer Quincy Jones, writer Alex Haley, and tennis player Rod Laver. A fan of world traveling, she dreamed of flying to Paris on the Concorde for lunch.

She was preceded in death only five weeks ago by her son, Rodney Holbrook, having earlier lost her husband of fifty-five years, Joe Holbrook, parents Ralph and Bessie Meade, brother Charlie Meade, sisters Sue Franzreb and Maratha McCammon, and special aunt Naomi Brummett.

She is survived by her daughter Stacey and son-in-law Rick Foster; daughter-in-law Sonya Holbrook; granddaughters Ashley Chipman (Nick), Stefanie Holbrook (fiance' Jermaine Shephard), and Shannon Baker (David); great-grandchildren Addison and Conner Chipman, Marlee Holbrook and Storm Shephard; her sister Judy Preston and sister-in-law Candee Meade, and many other close relatives and friends.

The family extends a heartfelt thanks to Mom's favorite people at NHC of Oak Ridge and CARIS for their loving care and support.

The family will receive friends on Friday, November 15th, from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home, Clinton, followed by 1:15 pm graveside service officiated by Reverend Terry Baker at Sunset Cemetery. www.holleygamble.com