Feb 26--James Maxwell Flanders, 96, of Lyons, GA passed away Monday, February 24, 2020, under Hospice care at Green Acres Health and Rehabilitation in Milledgeville. He was born April 11, 1923, in Adrian, GA to William Arch and Betty May Flanders. He graduated from Lyons High School in 1940. He served one year with the Civilian Conservation Core in Utah and then joined the Navy.

He was called to active duty a year later after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was one of four brothers, who served in World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Maxwell graduated from the University of Georgia in 1949 with a degree in Natural Science and Agriculture with a major in Agronomy. He worked with the Soil Conservation Service in various locations of Georgia until his retirement in 1980. He retired in Lyons and enjoyed his farms for forty years.

Maxwell was a member of First United Methodist Church of Lyons and a member of the John Durst Sunday School Class. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Doris Simmons Flanders; sisters, Clara Mae Benton, Alice Flanders, and Martha Nelle Flanders Braziel, and brothers, Roy Flanders, Kenneth Flanders, J.B. Flanders, and Ray Flanders.

Maxwell is survived by his daughters; Ellen Rivenbark (Kirk), Susan Wiley (Tom), Jeanie Beverly (Albert); his son, James Maxwell Flanders, Jr.; his grandchildren, Will Rivenbark (Valerie), Eric Rivenbark (Allison), John Wiley, Drew Wiley, Taylor Fields, Caroline Fields; his great grandchildren, Scott Rivenbark, James Rivenbark, Madden Rivenbark and Kirk Rivenbark; and his special nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held Friday, February 28th, at 3:00 p.m. in the Lyons First United Methodist Church with Pastor Tom Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends at the church on Friday afternoon from 2:00 until just prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Lyons First United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 71, Lyons, GA 30436.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.