Maxine Knighten was born in Tangipahoa, LA on February 17, 1934 as one of twenty-three children born to the late Clarence and Victoria Knighten.
Maxine and her twin brother Maxie, were one of seven sets of twins in the family. Her mother, Victoria, delivered most of her children by
midwives. Unfortunately, several didn't survive during a difficult childbirth.

Maxine graduated from the Tangipahoa Parish Training School for Coloreds (TPTS) in 1952. One of her fondest memories of TPTS was the time she paid a dollar to attend a concert of the gospel artists, Mahalia Jackson and Joe May. "I'll never forget that day. Mahalia sang so beautifully", she often reminisced. After graduating from TPTS, she continued her education at Roosevelt University where she received her Bachelors and then on to Northwestern University to achieve her MBA.

Maxine was eager to get her education because she hated working in the fields with her
daddy picking cotton, beans, and other produce. While getting her degrees, Maxine worked as a clerk in the US Postal Service; an agent in the
Office of Family Support , and as a teacher for Cook County School System in Chicago, IL.

She retired from teaching after 46 years of services. Although she retired from teaching, she continued to serve the community as a tutor for Kid's Hope at O.W. Dillion elementary school, a recording secretary and official "candy lady" for Circle of Care center, and as a member of
the board for One Vision nonprofit organization.

Maxine professed her faith in Christ Jesus at an early age. In fact, she was known to reply to questions about her marital status with the response, "I'm married to Jesus." Maxine was a faithful member of Brown's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Orange Grove Church of God
in Christ (COGIC), and Old Landmark COGIC of Chicago, IL. She sang in the gospel and mass choirs. She was a leader of the Mission Department and a District Missionary for COGIC.

So on February 16, 2021, the Lord said unto her, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21) Maxine answered the Lord's call.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Knighten and Victoria Gayton Knighten; her brothers, Adron, Roy, Maxie, Leslie, Donald, and Cleon; and her sisters Doris Fultz and Gastinia Joiner.

She leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.