Jewell Maxine Holt

Jewell Maxine Holt, age 95, of Highlandville, Missouri, passed away on January 21, 2026, at Nixa Nursing and Rehab while recovering from a trauma induced brain bleed.

She was born December 30, 1930, in Winnipeg, Missouri, to Chester and Margie Myers (Maxey). 

She attended Mountain Grove Schools where she met and married Donald Woods the father of their four children.

Several years after her divorce she met and married Bobby Charles Holt and she enjoyed many, although too few, years with him. A few years after Bobby passed away, she and Bob Hamlin were married for a couple of years before divorcing.

Maxine made her profession of faith and was baptized into membership at Southside Baptist Church in Mountain Grove, Missouri. She later transferred her membership to North Nixa Baptist Church in Nixa, Missouri where she was very active and formed many friendships.

A woman of great strength, Maxine endured many hardships throughout her life and met them with resilience and determination. She raised her four children on her own, always putting her family first and sacrificing for their wellbeing. She was a devoted and loving mother whose strength and dedication shaped generations.

Throughout her life, Maxine worked in factory positions, waitressed, and was an excellent seamstress. She worked in bookkeeping for her daughter Sherrie. Maxine also owned and operated a ceramics store with her daughter Kathie and sewed for many years in Kathie's and Larry's upholstery business.

Her hobbies included ceramics, gardening, taking care of her yard full of flowers, bushes and trees. You’d be hard pressed to find a single weed in her yard. She enjoyed playing cards, dominoes, and the last few years, especially loved puzzles. Maxine had 99 puzzles. Her family wanted to make sure that she got to 100 puzzles - so her son made sure she got the hundredth. 

She loved shopping especially for clothing. Maxine always dressed well and looked immaculate. She was always on-the-go (often saying, "Like grandma Myers, always ready anytime the door opened".) Maxine was devastated when she was unable to get in her car and go.

She loved eating-especially at family celebrations (famous for her goulash and mashed potatoes) and eating out, often replying, "Oh, I can always eat!"

Maxine was very organized, and everything in her home had its proper place, was spotless and “neat as a pin”.

Some of her greatest loves were the weekly visits of Melissa, Elsie and Oliver- and the joyful time spent playing with, holding and loving them. She often said, “Oh well, it is what it is” and “Too much sugar for a nickel”.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents Chester Myers, Margie McCoy and stepfather James McCoy; her three husbands; her young daughter Vickie Lee Woods; and a brother-in-law, Gene Crewse.

She is survived by her son, Michael (Linda) of Bolivar, Missouri; her daughters, Kathie (Larry) Nease and Sherrie Gibson, both of Springfield, Missouri; and her sister, Helen Crewse. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Timothy (Beverly) Grant, Kimberly (Matt) Menke, Stephanie (Bill) Howard, Christie (Nick) Schafer, Carrie Woods, Tanna (Chris) Wilson, Melissa (Matt) Lander, Shawn Woods, and Lisa Woods. She was blessed with many great-grandchildren: Erica (Jamie) Stump, Rachel Grant, Andrew Grant, Max Menke, Addie Menke, Chris Mooneyham, Michaela (Ryan) Murr, Tristen Howard, Brooks Schafer, Madison Schafer, Grayson Schafer, Rilee Woods, Layla Wilson, Parker Wilson, Elsie Lander, Oliver Lander, Zarria Davis, and Michael Davis. She is further survived by her great-great-grandchildren Owen Campbell, Layla Stump, Lainey Murr, and Tatum Long.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 30, 2026, at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa, with Pastor Jerry Francisco officiating.

Visitation will precede the service at 10:00 a.m.

Burial will take place at a later date at Glenn Cemetery.

Jewell Maxine Holt will be remembered for her strength, her devotion to family, and the lasting legacy of love she leaves behind.