Maxine Badgett, age 93, of Norman peacefully passed away of Dementia Disease on August 23, 2023. Maxine Rae Kemp was born on October 28, 1929 in Cushing, Oklahoma, the youngest of four daughters born to Ray William Kemp and Elva Jo (Rafferty) Kemp. Although she was born in Cushing, she spent much of her younger years in the Oil Center community.
Maxine attended Ada public schools and graduated with the Cougar Class of 1947. Shortly after graduating high school, she attended East Central University for two years. While she was there, she met a young man named, James Bradley (JB) Badgett, at the Baptist Student Union. The two quickly fell in love and were married on June 5, 1949. The two began their life together and raised three beautiful children- Brad, Susan, and Shawn. Maxine was blessed to be able to stay home with her children for several years, before she decided to go back to school to finish her education. She finished her Bachelor’s in Education in 1970 and later her Master’s in Education in 1977.
Both Maxine and JB served as public educators, and education is something they were both extremely passionate about. The Badgett family lived in various places, including- Wetumka, Norman, Broken Bow, and Seminole. Maxine was a Home Economics teacher, and she truly enjoyed shaping the minds of the younger generations. She was involved in various clubs, organizations, and events, all in hopes of getting students more involved. She eventually retired in 1990 from Seminole High School, and relocated to Norman for retirement. Maxine was determined and dedicated to working hard every single day. If she set her mind to it, she was going to accomplish it! She was also a woman of great faith. She was always active in church, and was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Norman. At just ten years old, she began playing the piano at church and she never stopped. Not only did she profess her faith, but she truly demonstrated it in her everyday life. In her free time, she loved to read books and watch OU sports. She was a great cook, famously known for her “Pull Bread”. More than anything, Maxine was a family woman. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She truly cherished every moment with them. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a true friend. She will be dearly missed!
She was preceded in death by: her husband, JB Badgett; 2 infant sons, Jay Kent Badgett and Jay Steven Badgett; parents, Ray and Elva Kemp; 3 sisters, Eva Layne, Annabelle Layne and Helen Northam.
Maxine is survived by: her daughter, Susan Rae Williams (Buddy) of Norman; sons, Brad Badgett (Debbie) of Norman and Shawn Badgett of Norman; 5 grandchildren, Traci Mullinax (Justin) of Norman, Jennifer Bowles (Peter) of Norman, Beth Arneson (Jason) of Denver, Colorado, James Mixon (Krista) of Rockwall, Texas, and Jena Wehner (Ted) of Sachse, Texas; 14 great-grandchildren, Addison, Emerson Rae, Laney, Eleanor, Wilson, and Whitten Mullinax, Glenn and Isla Bowles, Hunter and Evan Wehner, Kaleb, Raegan, Jacob, and Madison Mixon, several nieces and nephews, and a host of other family and friends.
Memorial services are scheduled for 10:30 A.M. Monday, August 28, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Norman. Burial will follow at 2:00 P.M. at Rosedale Cemetery in Ada, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Oklahoma Baptist Home for Children, 16301 S. Western Ave., OKC, OK 73170.
