Maxine Cornelius Baskfield-Spears

DOB: 2/13/53 - 71 yrs. old

Generations of Maxine’s family have lived in the Columbia area of Fluvanna; some of her ancestors have been traced back to 1807.  Robert Scott Huckless (1850-1918), Maxine’s grandmother’s grandfather was the pastor of many Fluvanna Black churches, including Columbia Baptist, Cloverdale Baptist, and St. James Baptist church.  The family story is that Pastor Huckless was very light skinned, was never enslaved, and was possibly sired by the owner of a Fluvanna plantation.  Maxine and some family members have done extensive genealogical research, including posting a family tree on-line in hopes of expanding knowledge of their ancestors.

Maxine recalls growing up in a warm and loving family that talked openly about anything and everything.  She has two brothers and four sisters.  Her father built their home, which Maxine lives in today.  She says her family lived well but modestly.

According to Maxine, her father (Garland Baskfield, Sr.) was a larger than life figure in Fluvanna.  She finds she frequently says, “Daddy would have said . . .”  He owned his own successful lumber business.  Consistent with his saying, “To whom much is given, much is required”, he was committed to community service.  He served on the Fluvanna School Board.  He was President of the Fluvanna Democratic Party, a Director of the Central Virginia Electric Coop Board, and President of the Fluvanna NAACP.  He was instrumental in organizing the first Fluvanna County Rescue Squad, organized the first Parent Teacher Organization at the elementary school, and served in multiple capacities at the Columbia Baptist Church.  Mr. Baskfield was a source of counsel and support for many within the Fluvanna community.

Maxine describes her mother, Velmar Martin Baskfield, as shy but not quiet, happiest when she had dirt on her hands.  She would be considered a tiger mother by today’s standards.  For example, she didn’t waste a minute of productive time by drilling her children on the day’s spelling words while waiting for the school bus.

Maxine went through the Fluvanna public schools.  When in the 9th and 10th grades, the Fluvanna schools became racially integrated.  She recalls no significant problems with integration.  She does remember some subtle indications of racial discrimination, such as teachers tending not to call on her, even though she was clearly prepared to answer questions.  Maxine was student government president in her senior year of high school.  

Maxine went to Virginia State University for a degree in Special Education and Psychology.  After college, she moved to Charlottesville, teaching in the Charlotteville Public Schools for 41 years.  Along the way, she obtained a masters degree in special education at the University of Virginia.  She is currently a substitute teacher for the Fluvanna Public Schools.

Maxine was married to John Tinsley Spears, a pastor who was 15 years older than she.  When he passed, she moved back to Fluvanna for family support.  She has no children.  Maxine is very involved with the Columbia Baptist Church which was founded in 1870; she serves as Director of the Women’s Ministry.  

Maxine says, “I try to be a person of integrity and do the right thing.  Everything you do represents your family.”  Not liking to be the center of things, you can find Maxine organizing behind the scenes.  She loves people and looks for the positive in life.  

Maxine