Clara Elizabeth Webb Buchan Maxwell

January 20, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Clara Elizabeth Webb Buchan Maxwell died peacefully on Monday, January 20, 2025, at the age of 104 at her home in Charlotte, North Carolina.  She was born September 3, 1920, in Hamlet, North Carolina, to James Wilson Webb and Tinye Brunson Webb.  

Clara graduated from Brunson High School in 1937 and from Winthrop College in 1941.  She taught elementary school in Mullins, South Carolina, until her marriage to James Robertson Buchan in 1943.  They raised their four daughters in Mullins.  After James’ death, she married William James (“Red”) Maxwell and lived in Florence where they raised their blessed blended family and danced many a dance.

Clara was active throughout her life in both Mullins and Florence and spent her last years living in Charlotte with her daughter, Betsy and beloved son-in-law, Tom.  In addition to her family, she enjoyed her friends, her churches, her lake house at Santee, bridge clubs, dance clubs, garden clubs, Girl Scouts, and needlepoint.  In her later years, her greatest joy was all the members of her large family.

Clara is survived by her children, Susan Buchan Pearson (Ken), Catherine Buchan Herndon (Mike), Charles Maxwell (Barbara), Adelaide Maxwell Grattan (George), and Ainslie Maxwell Reynolds (Jeff); her son-in-law, Thomas Pierce; her daughter-in-law, Beth Smithwick Maxwell; her grandchildren, Elizabeth Sirota, Alison Scruggs, Emily Herndon, Elliott Maxwell, Jim Maxwell, Elizabeth Knippen, Jim Maxwell III, Allen Maxwell, Gil Grattan, Tyler Reynolds and Ainslie Walter; 21 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, James Robertson Buchan; her second husband, William James (“Red”) Maxwell; her daughters, Elizabeth Buchan Pierce of Charlotte and Mary Buchan Graham (Ernest) of Marion, SC; her son, William James (“Bill”) Maxwell, Jr. of Williamsburg, VA; her grandson, Nathan William (“Nate”) Pearson of Charlotte and her siblings, Wilson Webb of Conway, SC, Mary Emily Pow of Summerville, SC, and Frank Webb of Greenville, SC.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Mullins Presbyterian Church, 809 Sandy Bluff Road, Mullins, SC.  The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 PM until the time of the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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Comments

  • Jan Green

    I met Clara when she was at Presbyterian Community in Florence. She was a member of First Presbyterian. She was hard of hearing but always had a smile on her face and had the best attitude. I loved to visit her. She was an avid reader and bird watcher so we had a lot in common. I was able to talk her into playing Chicken Foot Dominoes with us in the activity room. She seemed to really enjoy playing with all the ladies. Her three daughters were so attentive and I was blessed with getting to know them too.
    What a special family!

  • Twila Jessop

    Susan and Ken,

    My love and thoughts are with you both at this time of grief, but trusting in the Lord that there was a great reunion in heaven over this passing, and that of Betsy as well. Blessings to the family, with love,
    Twila

  • Mary Susan Kirchner

    My mother Sue Haigler loved her neighbor Clara at Presbyterian Community in Florence. We had the privilege of spending several visits with her.
    We celebrate a life well spent and a loving lively spirit.