Maxene Pickett Eubanks

Maxene Pickett Eubanks, 92, passed away Sunday, July 14, 2013 at the Hospice of Arizona, Sun City West, AZ with her husband Reuben, daughter and sons by her side.

She was born in 1921 in Spickard, Missouri to Earl C. and Ethel Johnson Pickett.

In October, 1961, Maxene married Reuben Lawrence Eubanks of Choctaw, Arkansas, in Evanston, WY. She was married to her loving and devoted husband for 52 years.

Throughout her life, Maxene was devoted to the welfare and betterment of family, friends, and those less fortunate. She was a mentor and a motivator to many of the people she had the privilege to know. The eldest of ten children, she learned early in life the determination and resourcefulness that helped her overcome many of the challenges she subsequently faced. Her family, friends and church were her greatest sources of strength during the toughest times. For that, she was eternally grateful.

The 1950''s were a particularly challenging time that saw the untimely death of her eldest child Karen. As a single mother of five children, Maxene worked multiple jobs at the same time to support her family. She was the winning contestant on the popular Queen for a Day television program in May of 1957. Maxene made sure her church shared in her winnings with a new set of choir robes and fresh flowers delivered weekly for a year. During a break from her Federal Civil Service career, Maxene worked as a staff assistant at the Utah House of Representatives. Her work in the legislature, along with her passion for women''s and social issues, led to her direct involvement in politics. In 1968, she ran as the Democratic Party candidate for the District 48 House of Representative''s seat in Layton. Her campaign centered around promoting industry, vocational training, and expanding medical facilities. She felt that since women knew how to manage the purse strings at home,".. they ought to be more active in Government." Maxene served as Chairwoman of the State Democratic Patronage Committee and as Co-chairwoman of the Davis County Democratic party. She also represented Davis County at the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention.

Maxene returned to the federal civil service and retired at Hill AFB in 1978. During her time at HAFB, she was selected as the newly created Federal Women''s Program Coordinator. In this position, she worked to improve opportunities and working conditions for women. Her commitment to women in the work place extended outside of government to participation in and leadership of the Ogden chapter of the American Business Women''s Association.

After federal retirement, Maxene became a licensed real estate agent. Her greatest joy came from helping young military families find homes to call their own. She continued her real estate work after moving to Sun City West, Arizona, in 1988. During the years she and her husband lived there, Maxene actively participated in the local charity-oriented Rip and Sew Club. The club is dedicated to making clothes for disadvantaged children. Sewing was her favorite hobby. She made quilts for family and friends until the age of 92.

Maxene will be remembered by her family and friends as a loving and tireless cheerleader who supported the underserved and under privileged, as well as an example for positive citizenship and advocacy.

Maxene is survived by her husband, Reuben, a daughter, Judy Van Alfen, Sun City West, AZ.; three sons, Ben (Marcia), Bethel Island, CA; Ken (Marianne), Cummaquid, MA; Robert (Jennifer), Purcellville, VA; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Also surviving are three sisters, Onabell Buchanan, Buffalo, NY; Patricia Stanger, Ogden, UT; Marilyn Mayfield, Ogden, UT; and brother, James Pickett, Challis, ID. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Karen Allison, her parents, two sisters, Audrey Houston and Vernelda Barber, and three brothers, Clifford, Earl Jr, and Bill Pickett.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 3rd at 11 a.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.

Friends and family may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude''s Children''s Hospital, Tribute Program, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN, 38142, or online at www.stjude.org/tribute.