Doris Jean Maxwell was born November 22, 1940 in Jonesboro, LA to the late Reverend Cleveland & Lorece Leonard. She was one of four children and the only girl of the family. She grew up being loved and spoiled by her brothers. Proceeding her in death are her brothers, Robert Lee Madsion and Cleven Ray Leonard, (Marietta) Houston, TX. She is survived by Roosevelt "B.B." Leonard (Mary Ann), Jonesboro, LA.

As a young child she attended Bethany Baptist Church in Quitman, LA. When her family moved to Jonesboro, her family became members of Union Star Missionary Baptist Church.

She received her education in the Jackson Parish School System, where she attended and graduated from Jackson High School. Growing up as "Dorothy" Jean, at eighteen years old she changed her first name to Doris.

Doris moved and became a Navy wife and from that union she had two daughters Doris Lorraine Linton (Sonny Linton), (Houston, TX) and Jacqueline Denise Dickerson (Houston, TX) that she loved dearly. Travelling and moving across the country with her girls was one of her favorite pastimes. She often teased that her first-born was named after her and her second-born was named after her favorite President's wife the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Doris later married her best friend, Norris James Maxwell and from that union she had one daughter, Fanita Shante' Maxwell, (Houston, TX). Upon moving to Lompoc, CA. Doris became a member of True Vine Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the usher board. Like her mother Lorece, Doris also served her community as a member of O.E.S. Shanta Chapter 91 for many years.

Also treasuring her memory are her God-Daughter Gloria Holley-Salters (Atlanta, GA), her five grandchildren Shauna' Swann (Houston, TX), Gary Swann (Houston, TX), Jacquelynne Dickerson (Houston, TX), Lynn Dickerson II (Houston, TX), Joshua Dickerson, (Brooklyn, NY) and Trinity Maxwell (Houston, TX). Her three great-grandchildren Lynn Dickerson III, Gabriel Swann and Kynnedy Dickerson all of Houston, TX.

Also left to miss her are a host of nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters in Love; her loyal lifetime friend Mrs. Mildred Neely (Lompoc, CA).

Doris had a very special relationship with a multitude of people who loved and looked after her family abroad, she often referred to them as her "Roses".  She was affectionately known as Mrs. Maxwell, Mrs. Doris and even Mama Maxwell to them.

A memorial service was held on August 25, 2018 at Bibleway Fellowship Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.