Maxwell L McKee

Maxwell L. McKee, Sr passed away peacefully at his home in DeFuniak Springs on Friday, September 15, 2023.  He was 95 years old.  Maxwell was born in Mississippi on February 21, 1928, to parents James Mallard McKee and Edith Glidewell.  He graduated with a degree in drafting and began a career in civil engineering.  Maxwell spent time stationed at Eglin Air Force Base and served the in the Navy during World War II.  After retiring from Civil Service, Maxwell worked as a real estate broker.

On Valentine’s Day in 1953, Maxwell married the love of his life, Venita Earley.  Cherishing every moment of their 66 years of marriage, they spent their life together raising their family in Walton County. Maxwell sincerely treasured his family. A family man through and through, he made sure they knew their value to him by spending time showing his love.  He enjoyed making them laugh with his sharp sense of humor and making them feel special with his affectionate caricatures.

Maxwell was a member of Liberty Church of Christ.  He was a true Southern gentleman, and he was a great combination of being dignified, humble, and reserved, while sporting a very dry, witty, and quirky sense of humor.  He loved his dog, Old Yeller, his sophisticated and conceited cat, Amelia, and his sweet cat, Sunny.  He never turned down a good bowl of ice cream.  Writing and playing the guitar, piano and violin (fiddle-style) were things he enjoyed doing indoors, and outdoors he appreciated farming, hunting, and fishing.

He is predeceased by his wife, Venita Earley McKee, his parents James M and Edith McKee, brothers Kenneth, Kerwin, Ray, and Donald McKee, and a nephew Jimmy McKee.

Maxwell is survived by daughters Kathey Godfrey (Doug) and Brenda McKee and son Lemoyne McKee (Renay).   Four granddaughters: Dusti White, Happy Laughlin, Kayla Bradley and Cortni McKee, ten great-grandchildren: Ashely, Alex, Kyle, Trevor, Chandler, Khloe, Braylon, Brixton, Jackson, and Everett, and one great-great-granddaughter, Piper Laughlin also survive him.

Flowers are being accepted by the family, or please donate to the charity of your choice in memory of Maxwell.

Visitation will be 12:00-1:00pm on Friday, September 22, 2023, at McDonald Family Funeral Home.  Funeral service will begin at 1:00pm with burial following at Cluster Springs Cemetery.