MAUD MAY MAXWELL ABNEY 
(SEPTEMBER 27, 1878 - APRIL 18, 1951)  

 MAUD MAY MAXWELL ABNEY was born in Arkansas on September 27, 1878 to V.B. "David" Maxwell and Minerva Elizabeth Posey.  She married John Wesley Abney when she was 15 years old.  She took care of his 2 year old daughter, Bertha, and raised her as her own.  Maud didn't have much formal education, but was self-taught.  After her husband surrendered to the ministry, she helped teach him to read and study.  On April 18, 1951, she died of multiple causes, but the primary cause was hardening of the arteries.  Her services were conducted at the Prairie Grove Baptist Church, west of Stratford, Oklahoma.  Jimmy Ratliff, pastor of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, Stratford, Oklahoma, handled the services.  Her grandsons: Billy Abney, Johnny Abney, Leo Abney, Sonny Abney, Jesse Spurlock, and Louis Spurlock served as pall bearers.  She is buried in the Abney Family Cemetery.