Maxine Pulliam
Maxine Pulliam, 96, of Paris, owner of Jerry’s Restaurant, widow of Alton Bryan Pulliam Sr., and mom to Bryan, Sherry, Shea, and Shanda, passed away Sunday, July 18, surrounded by her children.
She was born March 8, 1925, in Cynthiana, KY, and was a graduate of Cynthiana High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Alton Pulliam, on VJ Day, August 15, 1945, and they had been married 49 years at his passing in 1995.
Maxine and A.B. moved to Paris in 1961, to open Jerry’s Restaurant which is now the last remaining Jerry’s in the country and is beloved by all as a place where family and friends gather for good food and fellowship.
Maxine was a longtime member of First Baptist Church and was extremely involved as a Sunday School teacher and local and state WMU representative. She was active in Homemakers, loved playing cards with her friends, and traveled the world as long as she was able.
Maxine inspired others to seek adventure and take in all life has to offer. She loved experiencing new places and meeting new people She relished life and loved to laugh and have fun. She especially loved her large family, and constantly created ways to bring them all together. She was our glue, our foundation, our soul.
A grand and selfless lady, Maxine never missed an opportunity to touch a life. A life-giving person, she gave and gave and then gave some more, never expecting anything in return. When you went to visit her thinking you would brighten her day, you left realizing she brightened yours far more profoundly.
She was an extraordinary woman of class, grace and dignity. She loved freely, without condition or pretense. She saw everyone as God sees them and made each person feel special. She encouraged us all to reach higher and know no limits. She believed in our dreams and supported us as we pursued them. She boosted us, prayed for us, and poured into us. She had a God-ordained wisdom and strength that made her our rock in times of challenge as well as triumph.
She never lost her spunk or her zest for life, and she maintained her “headful of memories” and sharp mind until the very end
No person who crossed her path is without some story of how she made an indelible mark on their lives and on their heart. She brought out the best in everyone.
Nothing was more important to Maxine than her faith and her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, A.B., son Bryan, and granddaughter, Laura Miles. She is survived by three children and sons in law, Sherry Hughes, Shea and Alan Ernest, and Shanda and Steve Crosby; 12 grandchildren, Brad (Bethann) Bradford, Tori (Brian) Menke, Max (Courtney) Bradford, Brandon (Lorie) Ernest, Christian (Laura) Ernest, Colby (Samantha) Ernest, Brynn (Nathan) Deaton, J.D. Pulliam, Alexandra Pulliam, Caleb (Rachel) Crosby, Keegan (Robert) Hatton, and Kaeton Crosby; 18 great grandchildren with two more due in August, and five great great grandchildren with another due in December. Special people she considered family are Barry Sargent, Jerry’s general manager; and her very special Bourbon Heights personal caretakers, Stephanie, Dawn, Carla and Mike.
Pallbearers are her seven grandsons. Honorary bearers are Barry Sargent, assistant managers Darrell Puckett and Barbie Kenny, and the entire Jerry’s family of employees; and her Bourbon Heights family of nurses, aides and employees.
Maxine’s Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, July 21, at the First Baptist Church of Paris, KY, by Rev. Don Reed and Rev. Steve Crosby. Friends may call from 11 a.m., until the time of service.
The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the Women’s Missionary Union at First Baptist Church of Paris, a very special organization to Maxine.
Though petite in stature, Maxine Pulliam was larger than life in influence, spirit, and vitality. To know her was to love her and be touched by her.
The best way to honor this extraordinary woman is to reflect on why we are better people because of her (we all have multiple answers) and then go pass it on. www.hintonturner.com
