Maxine Umfress Wade

Maxine Umfress Wade, 95, of Iuka, Mississippi, died on Monday, June 30, 2025. Maxine was born at home in Yalabusha County to Virlon Cleo and George Elmer Umfress on December 8, 1929. She graduated from Holcut High School and went on to receive her bachelor’s in education from Mississippi State. At 19, she started teaching for the Tishomingo County School District and three years later became a bookkeeper for the district, which she did for 44 years until she retired. Maxine married the love of her life, Lyonel “Cotton” Wade, in 1949, and they had a beautiful 74 years together before he passed. They were dedicated members of Iuka Church of Christ, and Maxine worked with the World Bible School for many years. Over the years, she held several offices within the 20th Century Club and led fundraisers and scrapbooking. In her free time, she enjoyed traveling to antique auctions, collecting pottery, and most of all, spending time with her grandkids. Maxine is survived by her son, Mike Wade (Linda); her grandchildren, Brad, Robyn (Nico), and Kassie; her sister, Mae Sims; her sisters-in-law, Vonceil Enlow, Beth Wade, Joan Wade; her brother-in-law, Mackey Wade (Margaret) ; her nieces and nephews, Andrea Fritts (David), Sherrill Umfress (Cindy), Teresa Dawson (Kim), Sandra Wadkins (Frank), and Sam Umfress (Janel); and a host of other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of more than 74 years, Lyonel “Cotton” Wade; her parents, Virlon Cleo Timbes and George Elmer Wade; her brother, Lamar Umfress (Ollie); and her brothers- and sisters-in-law, Jack Sims, Doyle Wade (Lottie), Jim Wade (Charlene), Myra Wade Underwood (David), Harold Dean Wade, Hoyt Wade, and Darrel Wade. Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka, MS, is entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Iuka Church of Christ. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, officiated by Lance Foster and Haskell Sparks. Interment will be in New Lebanon Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Maxine’s honor to the charity of donor’s choice. An online guestbook may be accessed at www.cutshallfuneralhome.com.