Elouise B. (Bess) Maxey

Elouise Maxey
October 25th, 1944 to June 15th, 2021

(a.k.a Miss Elouise)

It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of our Mom and matriarch Elouise Maxey. Elouise Maxey was born Linda Louise Bess in Savannah, GA on October 25th, 1944 to the late Charles and Georgia Bess. Elouise was a widow who married her high school sweetheart John Maxey and together they had four children.

Elouise is survived by her daughters Joan, Joel, Tonya, Terri (Marvin Sr.), seven grandchildren (Lisa, Deanna, Joshua, Thabo, Tess, Whitney and Marvin Jr) and five great grandchildren (Dashaun, Kelis, Jackson, Elijah and Kayden). She also leaves behind two sisters Mary and Harriet, and several nieces and nephews.

Elouise was a very strong, intelligent, independent and articulate person who never gave up. She received her degree in culinary arts/food service early in her career, and eventually opened up her own soul food restaurant in the Bronx, NY in the late 80s. Cooking and baking was her passion, but her even bigger passion was helping people. Elouise then decided to go back to school and received her Master’s Degree in social work, and worked for the Dutchess County Dept. of Mental Health for close to 10 years. Actually ever since she was a young girl, she has been involved in civil rights and human rights her entire life, and has been a member of the NAACP since she was a teenager. Elouise eventually became the President of the Dutchess County NAACP chapter and was still the President until her passing. Elouise was a force to be reckoned with when it came to social justice and racism; she was always there when needed, and handled several high profile racism cases throughout Dutchess County, NY. She had many close friends and colleagues who called her Miss Elouise. Her passing has been difficult, but we know that she is no longer suffering, and we will miss her dearly. May she rest in peace and power. Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the LIBBY FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 55 Teller Avenue, Beacon, NY 12508. To offer a message of condolence or share a fond memory, please visit: www.libbyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating or becoming a member of your local NAACP chapter: https://naacp.org