Lucille ‘Maxine’ Bennett, dedicated to fire dept.
Lucille “Maxine” Oakley Bennett, 88, of Roxana passed away peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, surrounded by her family. Maxine was born and raised in Richmond, Va., by the late Arthur A. and Lillie (Nuckles) Oakley, and moved to Roxana in her teens.
Maxine dedicated her life to her family and the community. She was known for her homemade cakes that she made weekly; and her love for lighthouses and the fire department.
She worked at DuPont at home with poultry farms, and was a paid EMT for Millville Fire Company.
Maxine was in Roxana Fire Department for 58 years. She was a life member, charter member, past auxiliary president, first female ambulance captain in Sussex County, board of directors, county ambulance captain, state and county recipient of Ambulance Attendant of the Year, inducted in Delaware Firefighter’s Hall of Fame, and multiple other committees.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Leroy Bennett; her parents; and 12 siblings.
She is survived by children, Patsy Bennett-Brown, Wayne Leroy Bennett (Sandy) and Joan Bennett Howard; grandchildren, Angela Brumbley (Kevin), James Brown (Stacy), Brian Bennett, Beverly Howard (Gerry Worthen), Kevin Howard and Kerri Howard; great-grandchildren, Kayla Bennett, Morgan Brumbley, Bennett Brumbley and Noah Brown; and multiple nieces and nephews and great-nieces and -nephews.
Services will be held at noon, Sunday, Nov. 25, at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View, where friends can call after 11 a.m. Interment will take place at Roxana Cemetery immediately after the services.
A continued celebration of Maxine’s life will take place after the interment, at the Roxana Fire Department, 35943 Zion Church Road, Frankford. The family encourages everyone to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Maxine’s name be sent to one of the following: Roxana Methodist Church, 35914 Zion Church Road, Frankford, DE 19945, or Roxana Volunteer Fire Department, 35943 Zion Church Road, Frankford, DE 19945.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com
