Maxine Downing

Maxine (Boone) Downing, Centerview - wife, mother, grandmother, and phenomenal cook– passed away Monday, March 28, 2016, at home surrounded by family. She was 88.
Maxine was born in rural Livingston County on August 23, 1927, to Virgil and Ollie (Cole) Boone. She used to go with her father to sell watermelons and other goods in Chillicothe as a child, and enjoyed coming home with treats such as chewing gum, baker’s bread, and salmon. Maxine traveled to the booming town of Warrensburg around age 15 to work, and stayed with her brother Francis. One day she went outside to fetch some water when she thought no one was near, and ran into a handsome friend of her brother’s. She married that man, Calvin Lee Downing, in Olathe, Kan., on March 28, 1944. Their love has served as an example for so many over the years, and had fairy tale ending when they were reunited in death on their 72nd wedding anniversary, after just a year apart.
Maxine worked at the tip top café in Warrensburg, shortly thereafter, Calvin was drafted. They spent time in Dyersburg, Tennessee, then their first child- a daughter- was born while Calvin was on his way to India. After the war, they moved to Odessa, where she worked at the shoe factory through the late 50s, then welcomed their second child- a son. Later, they moved to their present location in Johnson County. In the mid-70s she co-founded Northside feed in Warrensburg. She really enjoyed the store and her customers, but her true career was being a farmer’s wife. She balanced being the epitome of a true lady and working hard on the farm with true grace. She has cooked for countless hungry workers, fed hundreds of bottle calves, raised a massive garden, chased many cows and pigs from her gardens, and filled thousands of canning jars, all while maintaining an impeccable homestead and appearance. Maxine was the matriarch of her family, she selflessly loved and cared others everyday of her life, and was happiest when she was with her family. She always had so much fun, and could make you feel so special, even on the most ordinary of days.
Maxine and Calvin loved to travel together; they spent several winters in Arizona and made countless friends on their journeys between Winnipeg and Phoenix. Over the years, many a fish has been caught, fried, and enjoyed by countless friends at their annual get-together. Their home was always open to family, friends, and anyone that happened to be around during lunch time. “Come on it, Maxine has plenty!” has been music to hundreds of ears. Maxine loved going to flea market on the weekends, and could always find a treasure amongst the junk. She was always shopping for others, and put together extensive collections of dress up clothes, paperweights, milk glass, and various crystal for her family.
Maxine is survived by two children, Donna Matthews and Ross Downing and wife, Michele, both of Warrensburg; five grandchildren, Troy Matthews and wife, Gale, Tony Matthews and wife, Stephanie, Sarah Montgomery and husband, Codi, Rebeca Downing and Emma Downing; three great-grandchildren, Ethan, Sam and Avery Matthews and sister Mary Minnis.
In addition to her parents, Maxine was preceded in death by her husband Calvin Downing; brothers Russell Boone, Francis Boone, Donald Boone, Gene Boone, and Carl Boone; Sister Clyta Mae Adkinson, and son-in-law, Archie Matthews.
Pallbearers will be grandsons: Troy Matthews, Tony Matthews, Codi Montgomery, Ethan Matthews, Sam Matthews, and Avery Matthews
Honorary Pallbearers include the loving caregivers: Lisa Clark, Nichole Stables, Renee Carter, and Tina McKinney
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, April 1st, at the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2nd St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524 with Richard Kelly officiating. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 31st, at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Mt. Tabor Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Calvin Downing Ag Legacy Scholarship Fund at Crest Ridge High School. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ralphojones.com or on our Facebook Page.