Maxine June Cutler

Maxine June Cutler passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 3, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was 84.

Born in East Chicago, Illinois, June 26, 1930, she attended Indiana State University, married her high school sweetheart, and resided in the Chicagoland area until an employment transfer moved the family to Williamson County in 1971. She would call the middle Tennessee area her home for the next 50 years. Originally a city girl, she moved to a “gentleman's farm” in then rural Franklin and was always tolerant of the animals --large and small-- that her children seemed to acquire, but not so tolerant of the endless stream of dirty laundry produced from playing in muddy ponds or the general shenanigans of four children. She easily learned to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the countryside.

She loved to entertain, garden, swim in beautiful blue oceans, and shop (as evidenced by her continually burgeoning closets of clothes and shoes, shoes, shoes). She enjoyed travel and a game of gin rummy. Her biggest joy in life, however, was being surrounded by her children and grandchildren. “Nanny”, as she was affectionately called, will never be replaced or forgotten. She instilled in us the values of respect, unconditional love, and selflessness.

Before the heavy hands of time and deteriorating health took their toll, she never left her house without perfectly coiffed hair, painted nails, lots of jewelry, and a billowing cloud of parfum.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Max Miller of Hammond, Indiana, and brother, Jerry L. Miller of Hudson, Florida. She is survived by a brother, Mr. Richard E. Miller (Estelle) of Lake Waccamaw, NC; children R. Douglas Cutler (Catherine), Thompson's Station, TN; Clayton R. Cutler (Cindy), Columbia, TN; Ms. Rebecca Ruegger, Thompson's Station, TN; and Mrs. Lisa Butler (Blair) of Columbia, TN. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, all residing in Middle Tennessee: Stephanie Flowers (Ben), Justin Cutler (Ellyn), Caleb Cutler (Jasmine), Cinnamon McLaughlin (Colin), Margeaux Molnar (Cody), Noah Butler, Seth Butler, and Tess Butler.

She was a devout Jehovah's Witness, and the guarantee of her resurrection to paradise Earth gave her peace in her final days.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff at LifeCare of Columbia and the physicians, nurses, and staff at Maury Regional Medical Center involved in her care. They provided an extraordinary level of dignified and compassionate attention during her brief illness.

Visitation with friends will be Saturday, February 7, from 2pm – 4pm at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia. A Memorial Service will follow.

Her wish was to be cremated and have her ashes spread at a beautiful spot at her youngest daughter's farm. With all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren present, her wish will be granted on a warm summer evening at sunset.