Max Bartow Asbell

Max Asbell, 87, entered into rest on Sunday, January 13, 2019.

Max was born on September 8, 1931 in Cochran, Georgia to the late George Bartow Asbell and Velma Hamrick Asbell. After attending Georgia Alabama Business College in Macon, Georgia, Max went to work for the First National Bank in Macon. The Korean War was in progress and Max joined the United States Air Force for four years. He worked in cryptography and was stationed at Kadina Air Force Base, Okinawa for two years. After returning from overseas, Max was stationed at Pope Air Force Base, Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he met his wife, Barbara, who was a freshman at East Carolina University.

Upon an honorable discharge, The First National Bank created a part-time job in the auditing department so that Max could attend Mercer University in the morning and work at the bank in the afternoon. He carried on his long distance romance with Barbara and they were married on June 8, 1957, in Magnolia, North Carolina, Barbara’s hometown.

Max entered Mercer University Law School in September, 1957, and continued working at the bank. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mercer University in 1958, took the Georgia Bar Examination in September, 1959, and was admitted to the Georgia Bar in December, 1959, before finishing his law studies the following year. He received his Juris Doctor Degree in 1960, and went to work for the Coca Cola Bottler’s Association in Atlanta, Georgia as their assistant claims supervisor. He went on to work as a legal assistant to Federal Judge Frank A. Hooper in Atlanta.

In 1962, Mr. Asbell entered the private law firm of Burke and Asbell in Warner Robins. He opened his individual law firm office in 1964. Later that year, he was appointed as Judge of the Municipal Court of Warner Robins where he served for more than 10 years. He built a two-story office building on Watson Boulevard for his personal office space and rented other spaces to various lessees. During the time, Mr. Asbell operated his law practice, he also owned apartments, commercial real estate, a TV franchise in Columbia, South Carolina, a health food store, a One Hour Photo store, and developed residential subdivisions.

Closing his private law practice in 1991 to pursue other interests and endeavors, Max became interested in writing rhyming poetry and published six poetry books and one book of his memoirs and life with his soulmate Barbara. Max continued to develop residential subdivisions and began purchasing pecan orchards.

Max and Barbara had one child Elaine, and enjoyed time with her and her husband John and their two children, Jaye Liana and John “Johnny” Jr. Family was very important to Max. He often bragged about his granddaughter’s two degrees and service to others as a registered nurse at Navicent Health Hospital and about his grandson’s degree in Biology, and his pursuit of higher degrees to be a teacher or professor.

More than anything, Max’s final wishes have been for the welfare of his family and to leave a positive message for others. His poetry was his outlet, so it is fitting to share one of his poems:

“Human life is temporary and soon begins to decay,
And like all else on earth will soon pass away.
If we are smart, we will realize in our prime
That the life we hold so dear is composed of time.
And if we enjoy life, we must live it in haste,
For when we waste time, it is life we waste.”

Visitation will be Friday, January 18, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service for Max and Barbara will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2019 in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. After the service, Max and Barbara will be laid to rest next to each other in Parkway Memorial Gardens.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with Mr. Asbell’s arrangements.