Funeral Services for D.W. Maxwell are on Thursday, April 30, 2015, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Brookhaven, with viewing prior to service 10 until 11 a.m. and burial at Riverwood Memorial Park.

Visitation is Wednesday, April 29, 2015, from 5 until 9 p.m. at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.

Dorsey Wayne “D.W.” Maxwell, 68, died Sunday, April 26, 2015, at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, after a courageous battle with leukemia. Born in Brookhaven, he was the son of Hubert Maxwell Sr. and Eunice Seamans Maxwell.

D.W. was proud that he could claim family roots from the first days of Lawrence/Lincoln County (fifth generation since 1821) and the City of Brookhaven (fourth generation since 1856).

In his words, “I had little as a child, but my parents taught me how to take care of the things I did have. They also taught me to care for others and always share with other people…. I learned a lot about hard work beginning at the age of nine helping my Dad truck farm in order to help support my family. Those years of hard work gave me the ability to build a strong foundation of character and a desire for a better life.”

D.W. was a 1965 Honor Graduate of Brookhaven High School, after which he attended classes at Whitworth College, Millsaps College, and the University of Oklahoma.

In 1967, D.W. was stationed with the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis, Washington. After his release from active duty, he served in the Mississippi National Guard for six years, where he was a non-commissioned training officer.

For the past 40 years, D.W. had a successful career providing oil and gas exploration, production and land title and leasing services. He was a professional certified petroleum landman and president-manager of Maxwell Energy, Inc., Eagle Resources, LLC and Eagle Operating Company, LLC. He was also active in lobbying efforts with various state legislatures, working with the U.S. Congress, representing his companies in legal and expert land capacities at hearings with governmental bodies such as the State Oil and Gas Board.

Professional organizations included the Mississippi Association of Petroleum Landmen and American Association of Petroleum Landmen. He was also a member of the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce.

Being politically active and always interested in making his community a better place to live, he served on the Board of Aldermen and planning commission for the City of Brookhaven.

As a hobby, he enjoyed financial market trading.

D.W. was a member of First Baptist Church, and, to quote him, “My belief as a Christian for many years has helped me through the tough situations. Even though I continue to fail at times as all people do, I know that I can always call upon God to forgive and to give wisdom in making even better decisions.”

Our dear and loyal friend will be remembered for his pure heart, generosity, good intentions and his desire to help his friends and loved ones.

D.W. is preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Hubert Maxwell Jr.

He is survived by his brother’s widow, Rowena Maxwell; nephew, Robert Maxwell; niece, Effie Boudreaux and her husband, Richard Boudreaux; great-niece, Hope Monte, and her husband, Brian Monte; great-great nephews, Brennan Monte and Clayton Monte; and a host of friends.

To express your thoughts to the family, you may visit riverwoodfamily.com and click on her name to leave a comment.