Jackie Maxwell

Jacqueline “Jackie” Williams Maxwell, 95, died peacefully at Heartland Rehabilitation Center in Benton, Arkansas on March 17, 2025.

She was born on a cold winter day, January 14, 1930, on Holly Mountain in Van Buren County, Arkansas to Silas and Mildred Privitt Williams. She was raised in the railroad town of Shirley, Arkansas, and spent an idyllic childhood surrounded by many relatives and friends. She graduated from Shirley High School with the class of 1947 and began her teaching career at the local elementary school before attending Arkansas Tech in Russellville for a year. She later completed her undergraduate degree in elementary education at what was then known as Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway. In 1949, she met and married William Fenton “Bill” Maxwell of Formosa, Arkansas, near Clinton. They established their home in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where they lived, worked, and raised their three children. Their life together was tragically cut short by William’s untimely passing in July 1970 while he was working as a maintenance director at the Arkansas State Capitol.

Jackie dedicated 36 years to teaching elementary school in the North Little Rock School District. Throughout her career, she taught various grades at several different schools before earning her master's degree as a reading specialist from Ouachita Baptist University. Passionate about education, she helped countless North Little Rock students develop their reading skills and cherished every moment of being a teacher.

After retiring from teaching, she stayed active with several part-time jobs, including doing telephone surveys for Earnie Oakleaf, leading school children on tours of the state capitol during legislative sessions, and volunteering at the Arkansas Democratic Party during filing times. Jackie was a lifelong Methodist. She was a member of the Lakewood Methodist Church Joyful Noise Choir and the Mary Martha Circle. She also had a deep love for travel. She was one of those “Going Privitt Girls” (her mother’s maiden name) who was ready to go anywhere, anytime. She had the pleasure of exploring much of the world and talking to people from all walks of life.

Jackie, being the 1947 Van Buren County Fair Queen, was a fun-loving, beautiful woman with a wonderful sense of humor. She found joy in singing, playing golf, spending time with relatives at the family home in Shirley, and keeping her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren entertained. In November 2006, she married Ben Evans, of North Little Rock, and in their golden years, they traveled, played golf, and enjoyed life together until Ben’s death in 2013. Jackie was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother and was the rock of her family. She will be greatly missed by all who had the opportunity to know her.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, older brother Lindy Williams (Melba) and younger brother Jimmy Williams (Deloris).

Jackie is survived by her son, Ron Maxwell (Fred) of Little Rock, daughters, Jan Beauchamp (Rick) of Fort Smith, Misti Hart (Judd) of Benton; six grandchildren, Ricky Beauchamp (Leah) of Fort Smith, Reid Beauchamp (Rebecca) of Fayetteville, Brian Beauchamp (Nicole) of Dallas, TX, Max Hart of Fayetteville, Haley Hart of Rogers, and Mason Hart of Knoxville, TN; as well as five great-grandchildren, Halle, Graham, and Barrett of Fort Smith, Walker and Wes of Fayetteville, and one on the way, Sonny, of Dallas, TX. as well as five grand dogs.

Her family would especially like to thank the Mount Carmel Community and Heartland Rehabilitation Center staff for their loving care of their mother and grandmother.

Funeral services will be held at Lakewood Methodist Church in North Little Rock on Friday, March 21 with visitation at 9:30 and Celebration of Life at 11:00. Burial will take place afterward at Pee Dee Cemetery near Clinton at 2:00. Memorials may be made to the Central Arkansas Rescue Effort (careforanimals.org), Lakewood Methodist Music Fund, 1922 Topf Road, North Little Rock, 72116, or a charity of your choice.