Maybelle loved children and for many years graciously opened her home to over 13 children. She loved them and gave them a safe place to stay until they could find a permanent home. During Maybelle’s younger years, she and her brother, Henry, rescued his two children from an orphanage that they were placed in during the war. Maybelle was a feisty lady and was determined to help anyone.
Maybelle soon met and married a man in the Navy, which caused them to move often. Although many would be discouraged with having to move frequently, Maybelle would quickly adapt and make new friends everywhere she went. Her sense of adventure would get her in trouble, but Maybelle did not mind. The family enjoyed hearing about the time she decided to pull her mobile home from Norfolk, VA to Rhode Island while was pregnant with her oldest son and Jackie was in her car seat. She wanted to surprise her husband by showing up and having everything ready, but that did not happen. Maybelle was driving a 1948 Ford and it kept breaking down. The last time it broke down Maybelle called her brother, Henry, to help. She and the kids were in New York during this time and Henry was in Boston. They had to wait, and waiting they did. Once Henry arrived he jumped in the car to see what he could do, and to his surprise the steering wheel fell off. While Henry was holding the steering wheel in his lap, he looked at Mayebelle with frustration because they were not safe, especially with the steering wheel no longer being intact.
Maybelle loved the Lord with all of her heart and served him daily. She was a member of Bridgeton FWB Church and attended faithfully.She was a co founder of Carlisle Baptist Church of Panama City Florida. One of Maybelle’s greatest pleasures was fishing, and even caught a big mouth Bass last year. She also enjoyed receiving cards from family and friends. She would read the cards over and over, and that brought a smile to Maybelle’s face.
She is survived by her daughter, Jackie Davis and husband, Dale; son, David French and wife, Donna; grandchildren, Eric and Heather; and many loving nieces and nephews whom she adored.
The family would like to thank the many people who cared for and loved Maybelle. They send their special love and appreciation to Brenda and Bobby for the weekly phone calls; the spontaneous visits from Keith as he would play his keyboard and serenade her; to her loving caregivers, Janice Squires, Robin Clark, and Linda Smith; and to her special friends in her neighborhood, Catherine Rowe, Tommy Rowe, Todd Schroeder, and Joe Carrillo.
A Graveside Service for Maybelle will be held Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 2:00 PM at New Bern Memorial Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cottenfuneralhome.com for the Burns family.
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