Hoyt Chandler Maxwell, Jr.

Mr. Hoyt Chandler Maxwell, Jr., 99, of Maxwell Farm Road, Dewy Rose, husband of 73 years to the late Margaret Louise Fouts Maxwell, passed away on Friday, June 3, 2022, at his residence. 

Mr. Maxwell was born in Hart County on December 3, 1922. The oldest child of the late Hoyt Chandler Maxwell, Sr. and Ada Lou Fleming Maxwell, he was born at home “just up the road” from his present-day Maxwell Farm. Chandler went to school in Bowman and graduated, at the age of 16, in 1938 from Centerville School, back when there were only eleven grades.

Mr. Maxwell joined the United States Navy on December 26, 1940, and his life was changed forever. He landed at the Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia with hopes of being a carpenter or an aircraft mechanic. Chandler soon learned you did what the Navy wanted you to - not what you wanted to - and spent 16 weeks in electric school. Mr. Maxwell was soon sent to New London, Connecticut for submarine school. His military career spanned serving on five different submarines during seven tours in the Pacific. His shipmates aboard the USS Kingfish coined him their personal hero after his knowledge allowed them to resurface during a near-fatal event with multiple Japanese destroyers. 

Being discharged from the Navy in 1946, Mr. Maxwell worked for nearly 11 years at Georgia Power and purchased a farm in Gwinnett County. When Interstate 85 was built near his farm in Norcross, Chandler bought a farm in Dacula, where his mother and three of his brothers later moved. In 1972, he moved back to Elbert County. 

Mr. Maxwell was a lifelong farmer and loved every aspect of the profession. From cattle to growing vegetables to working on equipment and everything in between, he was passionate and knowledgeable about every aspect. 

Chandler joined Concord United Methodist Church at the age of 15, and was the oldest living member there. He was a member of Dacula Masonic Lodge #422 where he received his 50 years of service pin. An avid fisherman, Mr. Maxwell looked forward to attending reunions each year with his Naval submarine buddies. 

Survivors include his children and their spouses: Brenda Joyce Cann and Ray, Charlotte Maxwell Truitt and Charles, and Steven Maxwell and Carol, all of Dewy Rose; grandchildren: Stephanie Renea Cann, Jeffery Chandler Cann, Cory Adam Truitt and his girlfriend Jen Galeas, and Craig Ryan Truitt and his wife Laurie Jossey Truitt; great-grandchildren, Max Truitt, James Truitt, and Chandler Truitt; siblings: Winona Ginn of Bowman and Stuart Maxwell of Hull; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. 

In addition to his wife and parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings: Benjamin Maxwell, Hannah “Betty” Vines, Henry Maxwell, Pat Maxwell, Rachel Jones, Tom “Gene” Maxwell, Bill Maxwell, Louis Maxwell, and Tense Justice.

Funeral services celebrating his life will be held on Wednesday, June 8, at 3 o’clock at Liberty Congregational Church, which was founded by Chandler’s great-grandfather, Moses Fleming. The Rev. Troy Ayers will officiate, and military rites will be provided by the US Navy. Interment will follow in Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery with Ray Cann, Jeff Cann, Charles Truitt, Cory Truitt, Craig Truitt, and Jerry Williams serving as pallbearers.

The family is at their respective homes and will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 2503 Harmony Road, Elberton, GA 30635.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com. 

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Hoyt Chandler Maxwell, Jr.