Funeral services for John E. Maxwell of Ruston will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in the Sanctuary of Trinity Methodist Church.   Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, May 6, 2025 in the Sanctuary of Trinity.   Officiating the service will be Pastor Doug De Graffenried under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.   A private graveside service will follow.

Johnny was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle.   He was born on January 27, 1937, in Ruston, the son of Hamilton Bowman and Bess Maxwell and younger brother to Patsy.   He died peacefully at his home on Sunday morning, May 4, 2025, surrounded by family that loved him dearly.   He was a 1955 graduate of Ruston High School where he formed many close, life-long friendships.  He attended Louisiana Tech University for 2 years then transferred to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater where he earned his BS Degree in Business Administration in 1958.   He then earned his master's degree in finance from Tulane University in 1960.    While in New Orleans, he met his wife JoAnne who was a nursing student at Southern Baptist Hospital.

In 1962, shortly after the completion of Interstate 20 in north Louisiana, he opened the Holiday Inn of Ruston and Maxwell's Restaurant.  He served as Innkeeper from 1962 to 1976.  In 1976, he was named Executive Vice-President of Ruston State Bank and in 1977 he was named President of Ruston State Bank where he served until 1994.   His wife JoAnne was his most tireless and ardent supporter throughout his hotel and banking career.   Johnny had an enduring love for Ruston and Lincoln Parish.   He was a devoted advocate for Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University and was a lifelong, faithful member of Trinity Methodist Church.  Serving his church and the Ruston community was his greatest honor.   To his friends and family, his attributes of kindness, compassion, hard work, and selfless service will always be an inspiration.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents Hamilton Bowman and Bess Maxwell, his sister Patsy Naremore, his wife JoAnne, and his granddaughter Anna Lind.  He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Annette, his son John (Tiphanie), his daughter Jennifer (Danny), and his grandchildren Johnny Maxwell  (Mary Kyle), Kathryn Maxwell, Anderson Maxwell, and Andrew Lind.   He is also survived by his great grandson, John Emmette Maxwell IV, and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers are James Davison, Benny Denny, Coach Wilbert Ellis, Joe Reeves, Steve Smith, and James White.   The family wishes to thank Drs. Ben Grigsby and David Osafo, the medical staffs of Glenwood Regional Medical Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the many sitters who provided such kind and compassionate care in his final days.  His son John and daughter Jennifer wish to thank Annette, her children Allison, John, and Angela and their families for bringing so much joy and laughter to Dad's final years.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials be made to Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, or the charity of one's choice.