Maxine Griggs

Nola Maxine Griggs, 92, of Sedalia, passed away Friday, February 9, 2018, at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia.

Maxine was a strong, independent woman who dared to dream and who was willing to do what it took to achieve those dreams.  Born on August 14, 1925, to Thomas Homer and Myrl Josephine (Poynter) Kindle, Maxine was the fourth daughter of fourteen children.  Times were hard and as each new sibling would come along, Maxine would learn more about how to stretch dollars and food.  Early in life, watching her mother bake cobblers with the berries they picked, Maxine developed her love for baking.

At the age of fifteen, Maxine was married to Oliver Stinnett.  Thereafter, on June 15, 1948, Maxine married a wonderful man, Milford Griggs, who preceded her in death on August 20, 1996. Milford adored Maxine, and encouraged her to follow her dreams.  Maxine had two children, Judy and Chuck, whom she loved with all of her heart.

Knowing she had to work hard, Maxine was employed at a number of restaurants in Sedalia.  She waited tables at the Pacific Café and at Flat Creek Inn.  While working at Town and Country Shoes during the day, she waitressed at the Old Missouri Homestead at night.  Maxine managed the original Sedalia Country Club, all the while dreaming of her own restaurant.  She worked with the Missouri Restaurant Association, and in 1972, she opened the iconic Maxine’s Gourmet House and Lounge.  There, she enjoyed working with her sisters and she made hundreds, if not thousands, of friends.  She later opened another restaurant, originally called the Hog House Barbecue, which later became The Homeplace Restaurant.  Maxine organized the first Taste of the Best food expo in Mid-Missouri.

Maxine’s family always worked on the Missouri State Fair Grounds, as did she.  The Fairgrounds were in her blood.  She began working concessions in her early years.  Maxine was privileged to serve seventeen Governor’s Ham Breakfast, numerous Missouri State Fair Queen dinners, and to cater food for music stars singing in the grandstands and fairgoers camping in the RV park.  Later in life, Maxine loved participating in cooking competitions as well as submitting historical items for judging, winning approximately five hundred ribbons.  She taught cooking classes at the State Fair Community College for a period of time.

Maxine was very involved in her community and touched the lives of many.  She helped to raise her younger siblings after the passing of her mother.  She was compassionate and giving, and always willing to help any person she met who was in need.  Maxine stayed on top of political topics, and did not hesitate to correspond with politicians regarding matters she felt needed attention.  She received cards and letters from Governor’s and Presidents of the United States.  Maxine had great faith in God and loved attending church.  Maxine was proud to be among a very strong group of women who were trailblazers in the business community of Sedalia.  Maxine looked forward to the Scott Joplin Festival each year and took great joy in dressing up her daughter, granddaughters, sisters and nieces, in period outfits and participating in the activities.  Maxine deeply loved her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren and treasured spending time with them.

It goes without saying, Maxine always spoke her mind.  Maxine was fearless and had true grit.  She was truly one of a kind and is irreplaceable.  She, along with her stories and cooking, will be missed forever.

Maxine is survived by her daughter, Judy Bell (Raymond); eight grandchildren, Frank (Lisa) Bell, Norman (Lynda) Bell, Carmie Diaz, Jamie Braden, Carrie (Randy) Rozier, Charlie (Vic) Griggs, Mike (Christi) Griggs, and Brandon; sixteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; three siblings, Nadine Klein, Alfred Kindle, and Kathy (Corbett) Martin; and a sister-in-law, Frankie Kindle.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Charles “Chuck” Griggs; and siblings, Lucille Bowers, Edith Rickey, Mary Jett, Tom Kindle, Lloyd Kindle, Patsy Pyle, Sue Belle Brockman, Joan Collier, Virginia Smith and Janie Kindle.

Honorary Pall Bearers are Bob and Barbara Hayden, Sue Heckart, Pam McGrath, Frances Summers, Joan Cummings, Sue Privett, Betty Starke, and Janice Klenke.

Memorial services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Friday, February 16, at Heckart Funeral Home, with the Rev. Jim Downing officiating. Brad Kindle will give the eulogy.  A dinner will follow at the Heckart Family Center.

Private family burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 3:30 p.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made payable to Raymond and Judy Bell for the purchase of a memorial bench at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.