Maxine passed away on February 4th, 2019 in Sparks, Nevada at the age of 93. She was born on April 22nd, 1925 in the town of Bonne Terre in St. Francois county Missouri to Ressie Mae Armon.
She was proceeded in death by her mother, stepfather Crawford (Bill) Lewis, and husband Charles (Todd) Nelms.
After attending school she married her high school sweetheart Todd Nelms and when he returned from the war in Europe in 1945 they started their family. In 1951 they left Missouri and went to Elko, Nevada and reunited with her mother and stepfather. Soon thereafter they took a job in Keddie, California to operate the Keddie Hotel and cafe. In 1960 they came to Winnemucca, with their two children, to run the Motel Winnemucca and Restaurant. In 1971 Maxine and Todd went to work for Joe Mackie’s Star Broiler and Winners Inn and a short time later she landed a position with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s office as office manager, a job she truly loved. She retired after 25 years of service, often saying she worked for five different sheriffs.
In retirement Maxine enjoyed senior travel, knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She was an active volunteer at the Winnemucca Senior Center and was on the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System local board, serving as its treasurer. In 2013 Maxine moved to Sparks, Nevada for health reasons and to be closer to her son. Everyone who knew her, truly loved her. She will be remembered as a kind, gracious, and caring lady.
Maxine is survived by her son Rodney (Debbie) of Sparks, Nevada, daughter Charlotte(Bill) Banks of Franklin, Virginia, grandson, Brian Banks(Elaine) of Franklin Virginia, great grandchildren Dallas and Cheyanne Banks, brother in law Bob Fitzsimmons and several nieces and nephews. Per her request there will be no services. Internment will be at a later date at the family plot in the Winnemucca cemetery.
The family would like to thank Doctor Denver Miller, Saint Marys Hospital, REMSA, Sparks Fire Department, the staff at Cascades by the Sierra, and Hearthstone of Northern Nevada for their professional care and kindness.
