While the Maxey family was yet reeling from the lost of their youngest child, one year and five months later they received the horrifying news of the death of their oldest son Don Jr. Don was murdered in Denver, Colorado at the age of 26 in 1995. He was the father of three children, who like Tristan were also present at the murder scene of their parent. But in this case, the children were unharmed. It is believed that Don Jr. was the victim of young men being initiated into a gang. Don Jr. was also robbed and his children, ranging from ages 2 to 5 years of age, were left to deal with some extremely painful memories. Don Jr. and his family had only been in Denver, Colorado for one year.
Don and Theldoris are extremely grateful to have their middle son, Aaron, who is a truck driver and lives in Albuquerque, living close to home. “I thank God that Aaron lives close and we get to interact with him and his family about once a week. It has been very comforting to know that we can be there for each other in a moments notice,” said Don.
Don went on to say, "What I have found out is that you don't forget the birthdays or the burial days of your children as long as you live. They tell you it is painful but you can never explain the excruciating pain that accompanies having to bury your child. You don't prepare to out live your children, you expect life to follow the natural order of things and your children will bury you.”
Don and Theldoris have been very active in their church for over 20 years, and they praised the leadership that they received from pastor Samuel Gilmore, for reinforcing their strength and their resolution to stay close to Christ during their times of trauma and turmoil. Both Don and Theldoris credit their strong belief in Christ for being able to deal with the loss of their two children and pastor Gilmore for his guidance that has been invaluable to them.
Don said, “About my children, it remains very fresh in my mind and in my heart even right now, it is very difficult for me to discuss the situation of my children and in raising my daughter's son. I am constantly reminded of Mache' and Don Jr., and had it not been for this lady sitting next to me (referring to Theldoris), I don't know where I would be. We have both drawn from each other and leaned on each other throughout everything. From day to day, we check with each other and see how the day is going.”
Theldoris, “My battles with Satan began when I was born and my parents were told that I would probably not live. And once it was determined that I would live, then I was told that I would not be able to walk. These afflictions did not affect my twin sister Mable. It was a personal battle but God has been with me through it all.”
Even before the death of their children, Theldoris and Don have had to deal with several untimely and unexpected deaths. The first death Theldoris had to deal with was the suicidal death of her 39-year-old brother, Adam James Jr. A year following her brother's suicide, her father, Adam James Sr., would die and three months after her father's death, she lost a sister, Loradell, who was 52, to breast cancer. She would also lose her brother, Norris, at age 60, who would die of natural causes. Her mother, Catherine, died in 2001. Don's father, Henry Clay Maxey, died in September 1987 of natural causes, and his mother, Pearl Lee Maxey,died in January 2004. In addition, they had to endure the deaths of their children. The loss of all these significant family members would happen between 1987 and 2004.
Her challenges and Job like experiences were yet not over. In May of 2007, Theldoris had a bad reaction to a prescribed medication while her and Don were preparing to go to Arizona to their oldest grandchild's graduation. Although Theldoris was feeling strange, the couple decided to continue with the trip because of the importance of the graduation ceremony for their granddaughter. Upon their arrival to Arizona, Theldoris began to have a constant burning sensation throughout her body and they began to notice what they believed to be a rash that looked to be getting worse. The pain Theldoris was experiencing was an escalating burning sensation throughout her body, which began to cause her to have hallucinations.
Don rushed Theldoris to the hospital in Arizona and the hospital released her and gave her medication for a rash. But the next day, the Maxey's felt the need to get back to Albuquerque to a hospital because of the constant and increasing levels of pain Theldoris was experiencing.
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