Dr. Harold Erastus Maxwell

Dr. Harold E. Maxwell, 97, passed away at his home on Wednesday, September 18, 2019. He was born on December 15, 1921 in Falcon, NC, to parents Percy S. and Hattie Godwin Maxwell

He graduated from Falcon High School in 1938.  He earned an AB degree from Elon University in 1941 and a DDS degree from Emory University in 1947. He served as vice-president of the Falcon School Alumni for 10 years and as president for 38 years. He was a member of Delta Sigma Delta fraternity at Emory.

Dr. Maxwell served in the US Army in 1942-1944 and in the US Navy as a dental officer during the Korean War.

He began his practice of dentistry in Fayetteville in August 1947 and retired in September 2007.

He was past president of Cumberland County Dental Society, NC Dental Society Fourth District, NC Dental Society. He was delegate to the ADA House of Delegates for 6 years, delegate to the NCDS House of Delegates for 15 years and served as chairman of the ADA Council on Federal Dental Services and Governmental Affairs.

Dr. Maxwell initiated, organized and served as the first chairman of the Political Action Committee of the NC Dental Society and initiated and organized a study of dental manpower needs in NC. He was past president of the Southern Academy of Oral Surgery and the NC Dental Society of Anesthesiology.

Other memberships include the Fayetteville Dental Study Club, Academy of General Dentistry, American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, Southern Academy of Clinical Nutrition, Woehler Dental Research Study Group, Pierre Fauchard Academy.

Dr. Maxwell was awarded the North Carolina Dental Society Citizenship Award in 2008.

He was Past President of the Fayetteville Exchange Club and the NC State Exchange Club

Dr. Maxwell was elected to the Cumberland County School Board for 3 terms and served as chairman for 4 years. He was past president of the NC School Boards Association, the Cumberland Community Action Program and served on the Cumberland County Board of Health.

He was a 33rd Degree Mason, a member of the Allied Masonic Degrees, Knights Templar and Chapter 97 National Sojourners, and Sudan Temple Shrine.

He was a former member of Highland Presbyterian Church and at time of death a member of Athens First Presbyterian Church in Athens, Georgia. He has served as deacon and elder and board member of the Men of the Church. 

He helped organize and participated in 7 mission trips to Mexico and supervised the dental services.

Dr. Maxwell was married to Jolene Cann Pope on November 28, 1970.  He is also survived by Susan and Terry Ross of Athens, Joanne and Robert Shumaker of Lake Oconee, and Mark and Linda Pope of Fayetteville, five grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by son, Lewis Pope, and granddaughter Courtney Shumaker Cloer. Survivors also include nieces and nephews.

Dr. Maxwell loved to travel, and his favorite trip was to the Israel and Italy in 1996. He was a fan of the UNC Tar Heels and attended many football and basketball games in Chapel Hill. After retirement he learned to play bridge. A condo at North Myrtle beach was a favorite place for family and friends for many years.

A Graveside Service will be held at Falcon Memorial Cemetery on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 3PM.

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