Mrs. Lerah Sutton Maxwell, age 87, of Carrollton, Georgia, passed away December 7, 2006. She was born December 30, 1918 in the small South Georgia town of Axson. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 1941 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education and subsequently became a teacher. After college, Lerah moved to Carrollton where she met James Harold Maxwell, Sr. He was the love of her life and their 44 year marriage produced one son, James Harold Maxwell, Jr. Lerah taught at various schools in Carroll County including Maple Street Colonial School, College Street School and Alabama Street School until she retired in 1974 after 37 years of teaching. She was passionate about her teaching jobs and loved to encourage children in their roles as students. Her faith was extremely important to her. She was a devoted member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton for many years and was active in many facets of the church, including the Praise Singers and The Sharing Believing Sunday School Class. Lerah also loved music and began playing the piano in church at age 12. She shared her incredible talents at the piano in church as well as in many nursing homes and assisted living facilities. She was actively involved in The Tanner Medical Auxiliary and The Red Hat Society. In addition, she volunteered for the Soup Kitchen and as a reader to children in various elementary schools. Lerah was preceded in death by her parents, Commie Brooker Sutton and Frank Sutton, her husband, James Harold Maxwell, Sr., her son, James Harold Maxwell, Jr. and her two brothers, Berrien Daniel Sutton and Bernice Jason Sutton. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Shirley; a grandson, Jeff; a granddaughter, Molly and her husband, Kip Lynch, and two great-grandchildren, Liddy and Susanna. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, December 11, 2006 at 11 AM at the Tabernacle Baptist Church with Dr. Jimmy Gentry and Dr. J. Howard Cobble officiating. Music will be provided by Jack Gantt. Pallbearers will be Berrien Sutton, Frank Lee Sutton, Bo Fender, Darrel Youngblood, Frashier Shaw II and Dr. George E. Astin. Interment will follow in Carroll Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday, December 10, from 2 until 5 PM. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.martin-hightower.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sharing Our Future Fund c/o the Tabernacle Baptist Church, 150 Tabernacle Drive, Carrollton, Ga. 30117. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel of Carrollton has charge of the arrangements.