Maxine Cauley

Celebrating the life of Maxine Cauley, a woman of adventure, love, and boundless kindness whose heart knew no borders. Margie Maxine Cauley, age 91, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Friday, October 24, 2025. Born in Houston, Texas, on April 10, 1934, Maxine was the youngest of eight children born to Camp F. Chumley and Martha E. McNeil. She lived a long and full life marked by kindness and unwavering love for her family and friends. Maxine is survived by her daughters, Rachel Elizabeth Cauley and son-in-law, Len Pittman; and Melinda Beth Diddle and son-in-law, Rick. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Raymond Douglas Cauley, Jr. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Camp Chumley and Martha McNeil, and her seven siblings: Mildred Babel, J.B. Chumley, Carl Chumley, Bonnie Fatheree, Clayton Chumley, Baye Chumley, and Betty Wiley. She was the last surviving sibling of eight—closing a cherished generation of her family with love and grace. She was the beloved grandmother of Ryan Cauley and wife, Jessica; Matthew Cauley and wife, Lauren; Brittany Rheinheimer and husband, Joe; Rachel Cauley; Nicholas Cauley and girlfriend, Sydney; Olivia Marmion and husband, Adam; Cameron Cauley and wife, Mia; and Aaron Cauley and wife, Bola. She was also the proud great-grandmother of nine, each of whom she loved dearly. In the early years of raising her children, Maxine was actively involved in her community as a troop leader for both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, instilling values of service, leadership, and adventure in countless young people. In her professional life, she worked as a legal secretary. Never one to let the grass grow beneath her feet, Maxine was often on the move. Over the past 45 years, she lived in many places—Mexico City; Bogotá, Colombia; New York City; Clearwater, Florida; San Diego; and most often in Los Angeles, California—all while keeping Spring, Texas, and later Teague, Texas, as her home base. Guided by an adventurous spirit and insatiable curiosity, she embraced life as a journey—one that kept us all wondering where her path would lead next. Maxine was never in one place for long, but whenever she paused, she often planted a garden. Sometimes she’d come back to Spring or Teague just to start another—nurturing flowers, trees and vegetables that, in turn, nurtured her body and spirit. Maxine loved learning languages and spoke Spanish and Italian; she also learned a little Japanese. Her curiosity and love of culture reflected her open mind and genuine interest in the people and places she encountered throughout her life. Maxine will be remembered for her gentle spirit, unwavering love for her family, and the many lives she touched with her compassion and strength. Her warmth, humor, and generosity of spirit will be deeply missed and forever treasured by all who knew her. The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the staff at Cypress Creek Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center for the care they provided their mother over the past couple of years, and to Silverado Hospice for helping her and the family through Maxine’s transition. The gathering will begin at 2:00 p.m. to celebrate Maxine’s life, and the service will be at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, 10129 FM 1097 West, Willis, TX 77318. If you feel moved to share a story or a few words in her honor, we invite you to do so during this celebration of her life. In remembrance of Maxine’s life and in place of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation to Cypress Creek Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, 13600 Birdcall Lane, Cypress, TX 77429, or to Scouts Honor Animal Rescue (https://scoutshonor.org/).

Maxine Cauley

April 10, 1934 - October 24, 2025