Maxine Gillis, daughter of the late Robert A. Garner and Cora Lee DeArman Garner, was born on August 31, 1925, in Pyletown, Missouri, and departed this life on March 18, 2022, at Dexter Living Center in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 96 years.

Mrs. Gillis had worked for C & L Orchard, picking peaches, and operating a peach stand on the highway. She was a member of the Dexter Church of Christ, a volunteer at Thursday School, and a resident of Dexter. She enjoyed making quilts for family and friends, working in her garden and she cracked millions of pecans.

On October 18, 1945, in Dexter, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Gene Leo Gillis. Mr. Gillis preceded her in death on December 16, 1996.

She is survived by her son, Donald Gillis and wife Kelly of Haughton, Louisiana; by four daughters, Phyllis Menley and husband Eugene of Dexter, Missouri, Nancy Viviano and husband Louis of House Springs, Missouri, Linda Stearns and husband Ronnie of Dexter, Missouri, and Lori Whitehead and husband Virgil of Dexter, Missouri; by daughter - in - law Jennifer Gillis of Bells, Tennessee; by her brother, Marvin Garner of Dexter, Missouri; and by thirteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.

Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Vernon Gillis; by eight brothers, Bob Garner, Lester Garner, Ivan Garner, Hubert Garner, Chester Garner, Larry Garner, Lewis Garner, and Loyd Garner; and by three sisters, Myrl Cook, Emma Stallion, and Norma Grubbs.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, March 20, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, March 21, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will follow in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.