Kelly Maxson

Kelly Feagins Maxson, a beloved wife, mother, family member, and friend, departed this world on June 30, aged 51, after a long battle with cancer. She was surrounded by love from family and friends.

Kelly was born on November 8, 1971 in Houston, Texas, to Judith and Thomas Feagins. The youngest of three children, Kelly was spoiled by her parents as the perfect child and charmed everyone she met with her love, laughter, and kindness. From an early age, Kelly gathered a large posse of friends around her - keeping in touch with many of her earliest friends until the end. As she traveled her life's path, Kelly continued to gather and cherish many, many more friends wherever she went.

Kelly's boundless love and joyfulness were most evident in her role as a devoted wife to her adoring husband, Denis, and as a nurturing and fun-loving mother to their son, Gus. Kelly poured her heart into creating a loving and creative home where cherished memories were made and treasured moments were shared. No holiday went under-celebrated (or under-decorated) at the Maxson house. Scrapbooking was also one of Kelly's passion projects, which brought together her knack for memory-making with her talents as a graphic designer.

Kelly graduated from Westfield High School in Houston in 1990, where she first met her husband, Denis, before earning a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Texas in Austin in 1994. She worked as a graphic designer for various companies and organizations, including The Children's Museum of Houston, before branching out on her own to form her graphic design-based companies Sweet Tooth Stationery and KFM Design.

In her youth, Kelly also had a passion for athletics, including swimming, softball, dancing, and cheerleading. In high school, Kelly was chosen as head cheerleader. Throughout her life, Kelly showed leadership and supported others as a compassionate, energetic, and strong "base" in the pyramid of life.

Kelly was always quick to volunteer her creativity and voice in her community. She also supported charitable organizations, including A Shelter for Cancer Families and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Kelly battled cancer herself for over 16 years, but her diagnosis could not contain her adventurous spirit. Through it all, she was unbelievably resilient and seized even fleeting reprieves to live her life to the fullest. She took a trip to Hawaii; made multiple trips to Orlando; Cabo and Puerto Vallarta; Mexico; Yellowstone; Colorado, Port Aransas; and chilled with family in New Braunfels, to name just a few excursions in recent memory.

Kelly was never afraid of fun. She always knew how to enjoy herself and inspired everyone around her to come along for the ride. She wore charms symbolizing people and experiences closest to her heart, including one that says, "Don't Quit."

Kelly will be dearly missed by her devoted family, friends, community, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Kelly was preceded in death by her sister Susan Marie Feagins Spurgeon, who died on November 9, 2017.

Kelly is survived by her husband of 21 years, Denis J. Maxson, and son William Augustus (Gus) Maxson. She also leaves her parents, Thomas and Judith Feagins; brother Matthew Feagins, his wife Heather, and their children Colleen and Ryan; niece Torey Castleman Cotton and her husband Reading and their children; and nephews Connor Castleman and Noble Castleman and his wife Jessie; aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

We invite you to join us in celebrating Kelly's remarkable life at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 14th, at The Cypress Alamo, 12715 Telge Road, Cypress, Texas. We encourage everyone to dress in vibrant, bright colors, which Kelly loved the most.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Living Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, www.livinglfs.org , and MD Anderson Cancer Center, www.mdanderson.org , in Kelly's honor.

Rest in eternal peace, dear Kelly. Please say hello and give hugs to your sister Susie for us all.