Dr. Annita Benningfield Maxwell

Dr. Annita Maxwell, 71, of Waco, passed away in Waco on Friday, October 24, 2008. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday October 29, 2008 at Scott’s Funeral Home in Gatesville with internment at Restland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM on Tuesday at the funeral home. Dr. Annita Maxwell was born in Mills County to Seabourn and Laura Benningfield on July 22, 1937. She grew up in Gatesville where she graduated from high school in 1955. Annita received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of North Texas, a Masters Degree and a Doctorate of Education from Baylor University. Annita was a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Professional Counselor. In addition, she held certifications including Professional Counselor, Certified Mediator, School Superintendent, High School Teacher and Elementary School Teacher. Dr. Maxwell’s awards include: Heart of Texas Counseling Association Outstanding Private Practice Counselor (two years), The State of Texas Bert Ford Commendation Award and Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award (two years). She was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Texas Counseling Association, American Counseling Association and an alum of Delta Gamma Society. Dr. Maxwell taught business subjects at LaVega High School for 13 years and taught and counseled at Midway High School for 4 years. She was a former Instructor at McLennan Community College and held various positions at the Texas Education Agency Region XII Service Center during her 17 year tenure there. Dr. Maxwell worked 11 years in Waco as a Licensed Professional Counsel in private practice. In addition, Dr. Maxwell served on the board of the McLennan County Dispute Resolution Center and presided as president. She was also a lecturer and an author. She and her husband of fifty-one years have resided in Waco for the past 49 years. Survivors include her husband and high school sweetheart, Paul Maxwell; son, Michael Paul Maxwell and his wife Carla; granddaughters, Raven ShyAnne Maxwell, Jackie Adams, Misha Pruitt, and Shyla Snyder as well as five great grandchildren; sisters, Laurita Hollingsworth of Waco and Laquita Barton and husband, Joe of Gatesville and three nephews and one niece. Pallbearers for the service are: Doug Ellis, Jason Barton, Clay Barton, Derek Hollingsworth, Keith Maxwell, Mark Maxwell, Larry Wright, Lance Wright, Wesley Wright and Robert Lee. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. Annita Maxwell Scholarship Fund at the Extraco Bank, P.O. Box 719 Gatesville, TX 76528