WILMINGTON — Maxine Brantham Hobbs, a loving mother, dedicated friend, and lifelong learner, died on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the age of 84.
Maxine was born on August 21, 1941, in Goldsboro, NC, to the late Christine Fail Brantham Hobbs and Thomas Faro Brantham, Jr. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, William “Bill” Kinzy Hobbs, Jr., her son William “Will” Kinzy Hobbs, III, and her brother Donald Keith Brantham.
She is survived by her daughter Kinzy Hobbs Tippett and her husband Jeffrey Clay Tippett, her granddaughter Grace McCoy Tippett, her brother Thomas Faro Brantham, III and his wife Mary Rose, her sister-in-law Pamela Brantham, her sister-in-law Janet Hobbs Dorman, her brother-in-law Stephen Lewis Hobbs, Sr. and his wife Kayren, and many nieces and nephews.
Maxine was a proud graduate of Goldsboro High School in 1959. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Campbell College and a master’s degree in education from Appalachian State University.
Maxine was dedicated to educating North Carolina’s youth and worked in elementary education as both an educator and school principal in Forest City before moving to Wilmington in 1973. In Wilmington, Maxine worked compassionately as a kindergarten teacher for New Hanover County Schools for over thirty years.
Maxine was a devoted servant and choir member at Temple Baptist Church, where she was a member for over fifty years. She had a love for music, reading and literature, a good coffee, and, most importantly, her cherished friends and family.
A private family graveside service will be held 12:00 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2026, at Oleander Memorial Gardens. Following the graveside service, a public memorial service will be held at Maxine’s beloved Temple Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. Reverend E.C. Mattocks and Dr. Ray Frazier will officiate the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be directed to Temple Baptist Church in celebration of Maxine’s life and legacy.
