Former state Senator, Newport News pastor, W. Henry Maxwell dies

Former state Sen. W. Henry Maxwell, a longtime political leader and retired pastor of Ivy Baptist Church in Newport News, died Saturday at his daughter's home near Detroit. Sen. Maxwell, 75, died of complications from diabetes and Parkinson's disease, illnesses that prompted him not to seek re-election in the state's 2ⁿ^d Senate District in 2003, said his son, Walter Maxwell Jr. A memorial service and funeral is being planned for next weekend in Newport News.

Sen. Maxwell represented Newport News voters for more than 20 years, first with his election to the House of Delegates in 1983 and then to the Senate in December 1992. Twice, the Newport News Democrat succeeded U.S. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, first when Scott was elected to the state Senate, vacating his House of Delegates seat, and again when Scott was elected to Congress.

"He was an effective, hard-working legislator and was a strong voice for the downtrodden," said Scott, whose ties to Sen. Maxwell date back to their service with the NAACP in the mid-1970s. Scott said Sen. Maxwell leaves a three-fold legacy, as a civic activist, minister and legislator.

Sen. Maxwell was critical in obtaining state funding to preserve the Newsome House and Cultural Center in Newport News and in keeping the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Hampton open when initial efforts were being made to close it, said Scott. The school has since been shut down.

Sen. Maxwell also worked to secure funding for drug courts and for resources to help rehabilitate incarcerated young people being released from prison, said former Del. Mary T. Christian, who served in the General Assembly with Sen. Maxwell. He also worked to restore voting rights for convicted felons who had served their prison sentences.

"His efforts for young people stand out … because he knew they were our future," said Christian. "I would call him a gentlemen's gentlemen and a very astute legislator. He knew how to work both sides of the aisle and to get people to work together.

"He will be revered and remembered."

Sen. Maxwell remained in the pulpit at Ivy Baptist — his first church after graduating from seminary — for 37 years, said his son Walter Maxwell. Under his watch, the congregation grew from 70 to approximately 800, and the church opened a community center and day care center in Newport News' southeast community.

Whenever people asked Sen. Maxwell why he ran for public office, his son said, he always delivered the same answer: "If one was to be concerned about man, he should be concerned about the laws that govern man."

"He was committed to serving the community," said state Sen. Mamie E. Locke, who now holds Sen. Maxwell's former seat. "He had a strong belief that he had to be a source of change, a voice for making a difference for the citizens he served."