MAXINE (Holifield) ARP, 51, of Steelton, Pennsylvania, transitioned into eternal life at UPMC Osteopathic Hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Thursday, December 30, 2021. She was born in Marion, Alabama, the daughter of Marie Holifield Dockens and the late Marion “Marvin” Brand, Sr. Maxine migrated to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in the late 70’s and received her formal education in the Harrisburg School District and was a 1988 graduate of Harrisburg High School William Penn Campus, where she was runner up for Homecoming Queen. She trained as a welder and secured a job in the field at Fruehauf Corporation. She was a devoted young mother to her only son, Raymond Holifield, Sr. Maxine reunited with her high school sweetheart, Aaron Arp and they were joined in holy matrimony in September 2018. During her working career, she held many positions, including working at Penn National Insurance, becoming a licensed cosmetologist and eventually opening a salon in Middletown with her best friend. She gave 110% to everything she committed herself to do. In 2002, Maxine returned to school and enrolled in the hospitality program at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), taking her first international trip as a study abroad student to Italy. It was as if her sense of adventure multiplied. She then dedicated herself to becoming a flight attendant—learning how to swim, which was an essential requirement of the flight attendant exam. She took the lessons at the East Shore YMCA, where she exercised frequently. Maxine’s career as a flight attendant combined her love of travel, service and frugality (she loved her coupons!). She was known for helping family and friends plan trips and navigate the often hectic schedule of flying standby. She always seemed available to help you navigate life’s challenges, including travel plans. Maxine was eligible for retirement last year and was scheduled to receive her official retirement badge in March from American Airlines. She was in the process of getting her real estate license. Maxine loved to plan parties and decorate. She brought her unique style to every occasion, whether sequin backdrops, floral centerpieces or birdcages. One of her favorite things was to take, collect and print photographs of all family gatherings. She was known to print, frame and/or add pictures to a photo album as keepsakes for loved ones. She loved beautiful things, but was not materialistic. Her light shined wherever she went in the world. Her pristine, poised and stylish appearance may have caught people’s attention, but it was her big smile and generous spirit that they remembered. Maxine was always stylish, an influencer and trendsetter, even at an early age. She was an eternal optimist—working out what she could and releasing what she could not. Her faith was strong and she believed that we serve a mighty God.
Maxine’s positivity was evidenced in her signature voicemail greetings, “Thank you for calling!” and “Have I got a word for you, today?!” The memory of Maxine’s generous life and example will be cherished by her husband, Aaron Arp; her mother, Marie (Holifield) Dockens; her son, Raymond Holified, Sr.; her siblings, Charlean “Renée” (Donielle) Irvin, Kinta Burnett, Kaseem and Raheem Ingram, all of Harrisburg, Leslie Brand of South Carolina; Stac Ballard, Holdyn Brand and Dana (Rudolph) Romano of New York; Maggie Brand, Marion Brand, Jr., Roy Brand, Clifton Morgan and Christopher Powell of Alabama; her grandchildren, Rayonia, Rayla, Raymond, Jr., Raynya and Raymoni Holifield; her aunts, Mae Holifield and Bobbie (Holifield) Coachman; her goddaughter, Nitea Long and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. Maxine’s life will be celebrated on Friday, January 7, 2022 at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Major H. Winfield Funeral Home, Steelton with visitation from 12 Noon until 1:00 P.M. and burial in Paxtang Cemetery. Live Streaming of the service will be available on Major H. Winfield Funeral Home’s YouTube page. COVID-19 Guidelines will be observed with face masks and social distancing for all attendees.
Sending condolences and peace and comfort to your family from mine. Maxine was always a beautiful person to be around. God bless and comfort you at this difficult time. Lori (McKinley) Porter and family
Max, I can't believe you are gone. I will never forget your beautiful smile. Comfort and blessings to your family. Faye
To the family of Maxine Arp,
I'm just finding out that Maxine had passed away. I'm so shock. She was the most hard working, career goal person you could ever known. Although it been several years seeing her. I'm sending my condolences to her family. Rest in peace.
Sending condolences to all. She will truly be missed. (Hooveter Homes friend) Denise Saunders
We flew together so many times. I always teased you and say "Max you have the biggest smile and the whitest teeth" and you would respond Yeah I brushed them. We were supposed to be going to Rotan...I'm going to miss our chats and the way you talked about your grand babies. Thank you for blessing me with your beautiful spirt and encouraging words. I will forever cherish our friendship. Fly high beautiful angel. Sherriann Als
Sending my condolences
Met you and immediately you were a breath of fresh air. You had flare and spark. You were beautiful from the inside out. You light will continue to forever shine. Loved the energy between you and Janel it was unbelievable. You will always be remembered.
To the family of Maxine:
I am deeply sorry for your great loss. A special condolence to you Marie, Raymond & Aaron.
Maxine was like my own daughter. I loved her dearly. She was just a special person. I nicknamed her "MS. FABULOUS" because she was fabulous indeed. She was just a very complete person. She was intelligent, lovely, loving, compassionate, kind, giving, stylish, trendy, excellent at event planning & so much more. She gave her all to everything. Most of all, she was always growing spiritually. She was always perfecting & growing in her spirituality. She wanted to be the best that she could be for God. I admired that in her the most.
I am ill for the last few days & will not be able to attend her Homegoing Celebration. I am so sorry about that.
Please know that I will be praying for all of you as you lay this sweet woman of God to rest. I plan to watch the livestream of the service. May a loving God comfort you today & always. If I can do anything for you family please let me know. I am just a call away. When I am better I will visit with you. May the peace & love of Christ be with you all.
Again, my deepest condolences to you all.
All my love to Maxine. I will surely miss her.
Lovingly,
Candyi Hunter
To all of Maxine's family:
There are not words enough to express all I feel for you all & for Maxine. I am deeply sorry for your loss. I extend a special condolence to you Marie, Raymond & to you Aaron. I loved Maxine as if she were my own daughter. I just chatted with her right before Xmas eve to say that I loved her & she said the same. So glad I had that chat. She had everything that makes a person a great & full individual. She was intelligent, beautiful, immaculate, loving, professional, highly generous, full of unending compassion, super thoughtful with an insatiable appetite for learning & always had time to help others. Most of all she was always tending to the perfection of her soul. She took excellent care of her spiritual garden. She was always growing spiritually so she could please God at every turn. Although her body is gone, her spirit is with us all. I nicknamed her "MS. FABULOUS" because she was just that! There are not too many people who are like her. She had a lock on style, grace, event planning, knowledge & setting an example for others.
I am very sorry that I cannot attend her Homegoing today. I am ill & have been for last few days. However, Please know that I am praying for you & there in spirit. I will watch the livestream of the service.
May a loving God give you peace, strength & comfort to lay her to rest. If there is anything that I can do for you family please let me know. I am just a phone call away. I will visit with some of you after I get over my illness. May the peace of Christ be with you now and always.
All my love & prayers, Candyi Hunter
To all of the family:
There are no words that are enough to express my deepest sympathy to the families of Maxine. I loved her as if she were my own daughter. She was a beautiful person, inside & out. I nicknamed her "Ms. FABULOUS." She had it all; Intelligent, Generous, friendly, loving, helpful, compassionate & always working on her spirituality. She took very good care of her spiritual garden. I hurt so much knowing that she has passed over but only her body is gone. She is still with us in spirit. I know that God has her & she will be at peace forever more. All of you know that I loved her. I am sorry that I cannot be at her celebration of life this morning but I am ill.
If there is anything I can do for any of you please let me know. I am deeply sorry for your loss & I mean DEEPLY. As soon as I am better I will see you all as I visit your homes. A very special condolence to you Marie & Raymond. I am just a call away from any of you. May a loving God help to strengthen you as you lay this beautiful & lovely girl that I adore to rest. May God's peace & mercy see you all through.
All my love to you. God bless you.
Candyi Hunter
My sincere condolences to the family. May you be comforted by fond memories shared. K. Johnson
First to make you chuckle... there is no sufficient candle to select to honor Max. She would have had it multi-sherbert colored, blinged out, sitting on a regal iridescent pedestal and you would swear that you could smell the sweet tropical fragrance of some exotic flower coming through your computer screen, and the flame would have flickered like a sparkler...right!?
This world is not the same, absent of Maxine Arp. What an AWESOME gift we have all been given to have had her touch our lives, even for a short period of time. To know her, is to love her. Also amazing is to think of how many lives she has touched through her career as a flight attendant, affording her to travel around the world. A rare jewel has slipped through our fingers. Let us consider it an honor to have experienced Maxine. Many of us will not have another experience like her.
Raymond Sr. our hearts are with you and the rest of your family; and when you are missing your mother the most, remember that she is in you and your children's genes. Carry on her greatness.
Janel, you are forced to relearn how to function without your right hand. The sisterhood that you and Maxine shared was EXTRORDINARY. What a wonderful model of loyalty you two have left us with. Consider writing a book for young women today on how to nurture such a sisterhood.
To my cousin Aaron. I(we)love you soooooo much. You are so blessed. You have the privilege of being a member of two large and loving families of which you are close to on both sides (Arp/Bryant). You are father to three awesome children, and your blessings are topped off with the privilege of calling Maxine your wife. Proverbs 18:22 tells us that "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." Proverbs 31:10-12 goes on to say "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life." ...Amen.
Never forget that you are surrounded by love even if we are not physically with you. -Cousins CarLa/Jim/Ila, and Aunt Peachie
We are gonna miss you soo much, but to know that to be absent from the body is to be present with God. So you rest in paradise sis until we meet again and we will meet again♥️ You done went to see the King Rest well Deb & Larry Washington & Harris Family
Sincere condolences to the entire family and every friend of Max, I'll always remember that infectious smile, voice and style! Rest in Paradise
Mrs. Maxine was definitely a beautiful person and had a beautiful Spirit. I remember her always dress to the tee. An her smile would light up the room. Im sending my love and deepest condolences to the whole family. As they experience this tragedy. Love Chanelle, Sanai and Basir
To the family and friends of Maxine Arp:
On behalf of my immediate family, the Griffins, and my extended family, the Browns, I would like to convey our deepest sympathies to you all. I've known Machine for most of my life, at least 40+ years and she was always a class act. She was truly a genuine person that brought out the best in everyone around her. Maxine did all she could to make sure her family and friends enjoyed life to the fullest, especially her son, grandchildren and her Mother and siblings. My husband had the privilege of DeeJaying for Aaron and Maxine's wedding. It was a fabulous event for an amazing couple (would she have it any other way?), and we were honored to have been there to share in their special day.
Please know Maxine left quite an impression on every one who knew her. I've never heard anyone say one negative thing about her, and the love she showed those closest to her will be etched in their minds and hearts forever. Anyone who never knew her missed out on knowing a beautiful soul.
May Maxine continue to rest until she is called back to life in the coming resurrection. (John 5:28, 29 and Acts 24:15)
May all of you find comfort in the memories you've shared with such a beautiful, sophisticated lady! You are all in my prayers.
Yvonne Brown-Griffin and family
My prayers and condolences to the family of Maxine. I worked with her at UPS (we were night auditors with Ms. Arlene as our supervisor) we had some of the best times. She was such an amazing, inspirational, person.She touched the lives of so many people.You definitely touched mines. She was such a beautiful person inside and outside. Most of all she loved God and her family; she was so positive and full of life!
Sherry Robison-Holloway
Extending our deepest condolences to Maxine's family. We are sorry about your loss. May your memories give you peace and comfort. Sharing in your sorrow, with love & friendship. -Alesia (Lee) Davis and Dominique Lee
Maxine you were a beautiful person inside and out, I loved your spirit and your style. Thank you for bringing my cousin Aaron so much love and joy. Rest In Paradise. Love cousin Stacey.
Sending our deepest condolences to Maxine's family. May God comfort you all during this very difficult time. Sharon Hills and Teresa Hills-Davis
Death is so unexpected and I would have Never thought you would leave this earth so soon.😪 I Met you when I was younger, when You & My Mother were Good friends. You would do her nails all the time. But 1 thing I would never forget is, you Always had a Big smile on your face. Your energy was everything! I Loved your style and charisma. You were just a Beautiful Person since day 1. I seen you 2 years ago the first time in years and, you embraced me with the Biggest hug and I called my mom she was so happy to hear from you. We are Devastated! This one was a hurt one😩 Sometimes life is not fair. But I won't question Gods work. Now your everyone's Angel 😇 Watch over us and may your keep shining above Queen 👑 Long Live Ms. Maxine ❤️🙏🏾 Love Toi & Nikki Roberts & Family
Maxine I never would have thought the 26 would be our last conversation.My condolences to the family.Rest In Heavenly Peace Cousin.Michele Danner Morrison
Death is never easy. Yet I know that Heaven shall be your newest of homes. And you'll greet me when I reach there. Maxine you and I just spoke the day I left Pa. We made plans for my next visit. Lessons and blessings. You were always that unforgettable, irreplaceable, unique individual. You were a friend to till end. My family and I loved loving you from the start. You will be sadly missed. #7th grade #New Middle School #My Nanas house/ Southside
Max was such a beautiful person inside and out. She lit up any space indoors or out where the sun shines but the sun couldn't compare to the radiant way about how she lived her life with love and care. I am still processing this loss of such an admirable woman. But am remembering with friends the wonderful memories of her laughter and smiles. MSL
I love you my dear friend, I just can't believe this is all true still and know you're in good hands. Love you eternally Rafael.
Condolences and prayers for the family may God comfort you all during this difficult time. 🙏
YOU WERE ALWAYS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PERSON. INSIDE AND OUT! REST IN PIECE MY COUSIN. PRAYERS TO MY FAMILY!!! LOVE FELICIA
Mom as I always called you. I can't begin to explain the pain I have knowing your no longer here. But I do have the joy of the bond we had with each other. I love you and you will be missed. Raymond, grandchildren , Ms Marie and Mr ARP stay strong . She was a great grandmother and mother. Her smile could light up a room. And she had a heart of gold. Mom I'm grateful for all these years I known you. Forever in my heart. Danika
My Heartfelt Prayers to All Family and All Who Loved Her. I Pray God's Comfort & Peace Over You All. You will be Sadly Missed Maxine Love You Always. Crystal Newkirk & Woodward Family
My Heartfelt Prayers to All Family and All Who Loved Her. I Pray God's Comfort & Peace Over You All. You will be Sadly Missed Maxine. Love You Always.
We Edwards family would like to offer our condolences to you and our family we want to let you know we're here for you cousin. We want to let you know your always be in our prayers.
Maxine, I cannot miss you more! Your positivity,, your compassion, and your wonderful smile gave us hope and demonstrated Love beyond measure. You have truly left a legacy and set a standard for us to live by that would make our life's journey a whole lot better. Rest on my sweet Sister/Cousin.
LOVE ALWAYS, Lisa
I send my condolences to Maxine's family and friends. She was alike that shine far beyond this world. Max resting power!!! Sassy J.
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.