Mr. Clifford Bronwood Maxwell, Jr., a lifelong resident of southwest Georgia, passed away peacefully at his home in Climax on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the age of 73. Born on August 18, 1952, in Bainbridge, he was the son of Clifford B. Maxwell, Sr., and Mattie Katherine Crowe Maxwell, growing up in a family that valued hard work and community ties in Decatur County.
Clifford spent his formative years in Bainbridge, where he attended local schools and ultimately graduated from Bainbridge High School, laying the foundation for a life rooted in the region’s rural traditions and strong familial bonds.
After completing his education, Clifford dedicated more than two decades of his professional life to Elberta Crate & Box Company, a longstanding Bainbridge-based manufacturer established in 1905 that specializes in wirebound crates for produce, seafood, and other industries across the United States.
His 22 years at the company reflected a steadfast commitment to reliable labor in a family-owned business known for its legacy of craftsmanship and contributions to the local economy, where many employees, including generational workers, take pride in sustaining operations that ship products nationwide. Retirement brought Clifford well-earned rest, allowing him to enjoy simpler pleasures in the quiet community of Climax.
Clifford found great joy in the world of sports, particularly as an avid enthusiast of professional wrestling, which he followed with enthusiasm over the years. He was equally passionate about football, cheering for both college teams and the NFL with the same dedication that characterized other aspects of his life. These interests provided him with countless hours of entertainment and connection, whether watching games alone or sharing the excitement with friends and family during seasons filled with rivalries and memorable plays.
In 2021, Clifford endured the profound loss of his beloved wife, Katherine Marie Childs, whose passing left a deep void in his daily life. The couple had built a shared existence centered on family and home, and her absence marked a significant chapter of grief for him in the final years. Despite this sorrow, Clifford remained surrounded by the love of his children and grandchildren, who brought light and purpose to his days in Climax, where he maintained a modest, grounded lifestyle reflective of his upbringing.
He leaves behind a devoted family, including his children Brian Timothy Maxwell and Tiffany Renee Maxwell; grandchildren Nakiah Ramer, Grayson Timothy Maxwell, Jonathan Ramer, and Haven Kennedy; as well as numerous siblings—Alberta Calhoun, Nora Kaye Ramer, Myra E. Roberts, Sue Ellen Dapsi, Kimberly Lane, Linda Johns, James William Maxwell, Edith Jeanette Lewis, and Danny Lavon Maxwell—and a wide circle of extended relatives.
Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and several siblings: Edna Faye Colvin, Ernest Eugene Maxwell, Harry L. Maxwell, Lynwood Maxwell, Donald Hugh Maxwell, and Bronwood Lamar Maxwell, many of whom shared the same Decatur County roots.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Cox-Ivey Funeral Home in Bainbridge, with online condolences available through their website. Clifford’s life, though quietly lived, exemplified the strength found in dedication to work, family loyalty, and simple joys, leaving behind a legacy of resilience that will continue to inspire those who knew him. In honoring his memory, we celebrate a man who cherished the everyday moments and the enduring ties that define a life well lived in Georgia’s heartland.