Teola J Maxwell

Teola Jane Maxwell (Miller) was born in Wilsey, Kansas, on
September 6, 1939. She was called to glory with her family at her
side on April 10, 2022, at the age of 82. Teola loved life and all those
she came into contact with.
Teola was a kind and compassionate person who sought to care for
everyone she came into contact with. She was richly blessed through
family and in turn was such a blessing to many. Many lifelong
friendships were formed through Teola’s wit, wisdom, and
compassion.
Teola entered the Susan B. Allen Nursing School in 1958 in El Dorado, Kansas. Upon
completion, she became an R.N. at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka, Kansas where she
embarked on a nursing career that would span nearly 50 years. While her love was always in
orthopedics, Teola took on many roles in her time at St. Francis. Upon retiring in 2008, Teola
continued to be involved at the hospital in a volunteer capacity in the gift shop.
Since her confirmation in 1955, Teola was an active member at Faith Lutheran Church in
Topeka, Kansas. She served the church in a variety of capacities and participated in many
different activities. Two of her favorite activities at Faith were the Stephen’s Ministries and the
annual Noodle Dinner. When she wasn’t volunteering or helping others, Teola loved to work
with ceramics creating projects to be shared as gifts.
On May 5, 1961, Teola was married to Deryl Maxwell, Sr., in Miami, Oklahoma. Together they
would raise four children. They were married for 40 years before Deryl, Sr. passed in 2001.
Teola Jane Maxwell is preceded in death by her parents, Lyle and Erma Miller, her sisters,
Colleen Sumner and Marlene Miller, and her brother, Sonny Miller. She is survived by her
children: Deryl Maxwell, Jr. (Susan) of Fullerton, California, Darwin Maxwell (Shelly) of Topeka,
Kansas, David Maxwell (Lisa) of Utah, and Danette Meinholdt (Craig) of Topeka, Kansas. She
is also survived by stepdaughters Suzanne Cameron and Kathleen Knapp. She is survived by
15 grandchildren and six great grandchildren who she dearly loved. She was affectionately
known as “Grandma T” or “Gma”. Her children and grandchildren would use words like, sassy,
caring, loving, compassionate, anchor, foundation, persistent, and full of laughter to describe
their Mom and Grandma.
Teola was blessed beyond measure to be a blessing to many. While she will be greatly missed
in this life, we know that she now celebrates in heaven with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Funeral services will be held at Faith Lutheran Church at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2022.  Interment will follow at Rochester Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at Davidson Funeral Home, 1035 N. Kansas Ave. in Topeka.   Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Church Youth Group or to the American Lung Association.