Michelle Maxwell

Leanna Michelle Calhoun Maxwell, 53, of Cleveland, passed away on September 19, 2023. Born in Cleveland on September 26, 1969, Michelle was born to Jeanie and Max Calhoun. Michelle had a larger than life personality that paralleled her enormous heart and love for people. She was bold and encouraging, and cared deeply and passionately for her family, especially her three sons, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. She had a special calling to help love and serve people in unfortunate situations, and she devoted much of her time to volunteering to cook for and serve members of the community at New Life Community Kitchen. Having a heart for people, she has been a loving and encouraging presence in several ministries that aimed to share the love of Jesus with people suffering through homelessness, drug addiction, incarceration, and abusive situations. Michelle was a dependable constant in the lives of her friends and family members, and was always the first to lend an ear, a hand, a hug, or a prayer. She was happiest when she was together with her family, extended family and friends, and one of the proudest moments of her life was when she became a "Gimme" to her first and only granddaughter who was the light of her life. Her absence on earth will leave an unfillable hole in the hearts of all who loved her, but we are rejoicing in the fact that she is reunited with her Papaw, her Mamaw, and her Mamaw Mary whom she longed to meet again in Heaven.

She was proceeded in death by maternal grandparents Guy and Myrtle Willhoit of Cleveland and paternal grandparents H.B. and Mary Calhoun of Etowah.

She is survived by her mother, Jeanie Willhoit Pell, of Cleveland, father Max Calhoun (Debbie) of Tellico, sons Joseph Maxwell (Kassidy) of Cleveland, Andrew Maxwell of Cleveland, Kyle Maxwell of Cleveland, granddaughter Kassie Maxwell of Cleveland, brother Eric Calhoun (Missy) of Savannah, GA, sister Heather Schaaf (Sandro) of Decatur, aunts Katherine Lamon (Virgil) of Cleveland, Judy Willhoit of Pensacola, FL, cousins Patricia Lamon of Cleveland, Denise Lamon of Winston Salem, NC, nephews Josh Brewer (Emmie) of Savannah, GA, Noah Pell of Decatur, niece Marlee Schaaf of Decatur, Doug Paige of Athens, Greg Maxwell of Cleveland, and a host of special friends that she considered family.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, from 11 am until 1 pm with service to immediately follow at Ocoee Church of God, located at 813 US-64, Ocoee, TN. Upon conclusion of service, a Graveside service will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, located at 1700 S Ocoee St., Cleveland, TN. with Shawn Maxwell, Bryan Maxwell, Joseph Maxwell, Jim Bowser, Lance Johnson, and Sandro Schaaf serving as pallbearers.