Maxie Mae Downing

Maxie Mae Downing, 97, of Kingsport, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on September 15,2026. Leaving behind a lifetime of love, memories, and a family who will forever cherish her.

Maxie was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Above all else, she was known for being a good grandma and for the love she poured into her family. She treasured every moment spent together and found joy in the simple things—being surrounded by the people she loved, caring for her family, and taking care of every dog that came her way.

Maxie had a creative and joyful spirit. She enjoyed canning, knitting, painting, coloring, and spending time on Facebook keeping up with the people she loved and some she didn’t love. She especially loved listening to her great granddaughter Eden sing, playing with her great-great-granddaughter Oaklee Rose and running around with her favorite granddaughter, Danielle. The memories they made together will be treasured for generations to come.

Faith was also an important part of Maxie’s life. She attended a non-denominational church and found comfort in her relationship with God. Every night, she would fall asleep with her Bible—a beautiful reflection of the faith she carried with her throughout her life.

Maxie is survived by her favorite daughter, Donna Haynes; her favorite granddaughter, Danielle Swain, married to Daniel Swain; her great-granddaughters, Norrah Schneider, married to Brent Schneider, and Eden Swain; and her great-great-granddaughters, Oaklee Rose Schneider and Emmy Mae Schneider (of whom which she was so fond of telling people was named after her).

She is also survived by her siblings, Viola and Robert Harris, along with many other family members and friends who were blessed to know her.

Maxie was preceded in death by her beloved son, Ricky Hickman; and by members of the Harris family: her Daddy and Mommy, James and Emma Harris; and Troy, Lucy, Bertha, Ruby, Mary Bell, Taze, Dexter, Gus, and Shirley Harris.

Though Maxie has left this earthly life, her love will continue through the family she cared for so deeply. Her hands may no longer be busy knitting, painting, canning, or caring for those around her, but the love she gave so freely will live on in every generation that follows her.

Her family will forever remember her laughter, her love for her dogs, her creative spirit, her faith, and the countless moments she spent simply being Grandma.

The family will receive friends from 11am to 12pm on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Kingsport. A funeral service will follow with Buddy Swain officiating.

A graveside service will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park with family and friends serving as pallbearers.

Her greatest legacy remains here—with the family who loved her so dearly.

Until we meet again, Grandma. We love you, and we will carry you with us always.

Carter-Trent Funeral Hhome in Kingsport is serving the Downing family.