Maxine Elizabeth (Byrd-Joyner) Lane, 76, died on Monday, September 22, 2014 at home. She was 76 years old. Maxine was born January 8, 1938 in Mason, Tennessee to Johnny and Ruth Stafford Byrd. She attended the School of the Ozarks High School and Miller-Hawkins Business College. She was married to Gerald Chapman Joyner in 1958 and together they had four children, Patti Joyner, Toney Joyner, Kenneth Joyner and Pamela Joyner. In 1987, she was re-married to Donald W. Lane. In those 27 years, they enjoyed many years of traveling, adventures and trips to the Tunica Casinos. They were devoted to each other and thought that the other "hung the moon"!

She worked as a secretary/clerk at General Motors, several Truck Lines, the Memphis Police Department, the University of Tennessee Medical Group, St. Francis Hospital, Baptist-Tipton Hospital and Job Corps. Most of her early life, she worked a second job as a waitress at the Passport Room at the Memphis International Airport and the famous Luau Restaurant. She was a long time member and taught the Girls Auxiliary at Cherry Road Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.

Born to sharecroppers, Maxine was a very unique soul. She never let adversity get in the way of her laughter and positive attitude toward life. She was a "hip" mother so many young people gathered at her house on Saturday mornings to get "made from scratch" biscuits and gravy and to dance to Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin. Maxine loved the Blues and Soul music. This music stirred something deep inside of her. She said it was the cotton fields she worked in as a young child. All of her friends tell stories of how Maxine could dance anyone off the floor. She was a certified Dumpster Diver, Yard Sale Fanatic, Home Sewer and all around Treasure Hunter. Her collection of Santa Claus figurines was legendary. At last count, she said there was 1500! Since her maiden name was Byrd, she loved birds. In high school, she was nicknamed "Birdie". She spent many hours bird watching and keeping records of the birds she could draw to her back yard.
With all of her accomplishments, her greatest one was being a Grandmother. She finally had the time on her hands to teach her grandchildren many important life skills such as spitting watermelon seeds, building things from nature, walking outside for hours, chasing goats, raising chickens and never having anyone say "No" to them. Nana and Papa Don, as they were lovingly called provided a legacy of adventures on their Atoka farm. Her grandchildren Taylor, Spencer, Danielle, Wesley and Tanner were her heart and her Grand Purpose. In recent years, she became a great-grandmother to two.

She is survived by her husband, Donald W. Lane, her children Patti Joyner, Kenneth Joyner and Pamela Joyner. She is also survived by her step-children Brenda Lilley, Ray Lane and JoAnn Berryhill. Maxine leaves behind five grandchildren: Taylor Todd, Spencer Hardy, Danielle Joyner, Wesley Joyner and Tanner Rains. Also, she leaves three great- grandchildren: Hudson Todd and Easton Cullum. She will be missed by all. Fly High "Birdie"!

A funeral service is planned for Thursday, September 25 at 12:00 p.m. at Northridge Woodhaven Funeral Home. Interment will be at Northridge Woodhaven Cemetery in Millington, TN.