Maxine Briggs

Opal Maxine Briggs, 92, of Independence Missouri, passed away Thursday September 21^st at her home.  She was born June 26, 1931 in Home City Kansas, to Curt and Cora Zwonitzer.  She was the second oldest child of 5 siblings.  She met her husband Lloyd Briggs, originally of Fairfield Iowa, in Huntsville Missouri, and the two were married on December 31^st 1950, in Huntsville.

Maxine (as she preferred to be called) worked as a clerical/office worker after graduating high school.  After their wedding in 1950, the couple moved to the Kansas City area, where Lloyd worked as an accountant.  Like her husband, Maxine was involved in community service in a number of ways.  She was a strong supporter of the League of Women voters for years, and also active in the PTA at Luff Elementary school in Independence.  She was den mother with Cub Pack 483.   Maxine was very involved in the life and activities of her church, Eastgate Christian, and served in many capacities, as a board member for many years, as a deacon, choir member, and as church treasurer.  She was recently recognized as one of the first two female Elders, elected in 1976, who had given many years of service and dedication to their church.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd, who passed away on August 9^th, 2023, and by her sisters Barbara Kraft, Virginia Folsom, and brother Jim Zwonitzer.  She is survived by her son Gregory, of Independence, and Michael, of Lubbock, Texas, and her brother, Walt Zwonitzer, of Los Angeles California.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the League of Women voters, or a community service organization of your choice.  A memorial service will be held Monday, October 16^th 10:30am , at Eastgate Christian Church, 4010 S. River in Independence.  There will be a social hour after the service.