D. Maxine Ferren's Obituary
D. Maxine Ferren, age 97 of Knoxville, Tennessee and a former Centerville, Iowa resident, died on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville. She was born November 17, 1918 to Austin and Ferrie Moss McFall. She grew up on a farm near Moulton, Iowa. Maxine graduated from Moulton High School and taught in a One-Room Schoolhouse. She met the love of her life, Vernon E. Ferren and they married April 16, 1939 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashua, Iowa. They were married for over 60 years.Together Maxine and Vernon had a son and daughter. Their married life was spent in Centerville, Iowa where they raised their children. Home and family were Maxine's first priority and after the children were in school she worked outside the home first for Bea's Tots to Teens and later for offices in the Appanoose County Courthouse. She was a woman of faith and an active member of the Drake Avenue Christian Church, serving in Sunday School, Christian Women's Fellowship, and as a Deaconess. Maxine volunteered for all activities where her children were involved throughout their school years and beyond as an avid supporter of their college endeavors, their careers, and their families. Maxine was a "behind the scenes" person, always working in the background to make things go smoothly. She possessed great organizational skills and a get things done attitude. A gift Maxine leaves her children is to "always be prepared." She lived by that. She was prepared at all times for company, travel and storms. She was an avid "weather watcher" and always knew the local weather forecast and the forecast of family and friends traveling or living outside of Iowa.Guests knew when they came to Maxine and Vernon's they would have great meals and wonderful baked good. Maxine loved to cook, but called baking her therapy. She spoiled all with pies, cakes, cobblers, biscuits, breads and cinnamon rolls yet her personnel favorite to bake was cookies. She had five or six homemade varieties in the freezer at all times.Maxine and Vernon were fortunate to have a long, wonderful retirement where they became snowbirds spending many winters in the valley of Texas near Harlingen enjoying fellowship with their many friends there. They also traveled extensively and were proud of their hometown, Centerville, Iowa and were great ambassadors for Centerville.A retirement residence in Des Moines, Iowa was home when Vernon became ill and they had to give up their home in Texas. After Vernon's death Maxine became a resident of a sister facility in Knoxville, Tennessee where she could be close to her daughter and son-in-law and two of her three grandchildren and families. There she enjoyed the companionship of family and being a part of the family celebrations. She also enjoyed warmer climate, the beautiful mountains, lakes , and most especially the ability to share in the lives of her five great grandchildren, Payton, Parker, Daisy, Andie and Janie.Living family members include her children, Roger (Pauline) Ferren of Montesano, WA; Linda (Phil) Tisue, of Knoxville, TN, three grandchildren, Troy (Nancy) Tisue and Tara (Lloyd) Evans all of Knoxville, TN and Jeffery Ferren of Panama City, FL. as well as five great grandchildren.Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vernon; brother Richard Austin McFall; and sister Marjorie Juanita Martin.Graveside funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the Oakland Cemetery in Centerville, Iowa. Burial to follow. The To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of D. Maxine Ferren please visit our Sympathy Store.
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