Makensi Skye Maxson, 21, of Tavares, Florida, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Born in Tavares on August 19, 2004, Makensi spent her entire life in Lake County and touched many lives with her gentle spirit. She had a tender heart, loved making people laugh and smile, and was known for her kindness. Most of all, Makensi was a proud and deeply devoted mother to her beloved son, Cade.
Makensi was recently hired by Mission BBQ as an Assistant Manager and will be remembered there as an honorary team member.
She is survived by her father, Courtney Ryan Maxson of Tavares, FL; her mother, Christina Marie Carter of Eustis, FL; her son, Cade Preston Maxson of Tavares, FL; and her brother, Miles Maxson of Tavares, FL. She is also survived by her maternal grandmother, Lorie Smith; maternal great-grandparents, Curtis Carter of Pomfret, MD and Rita F. Starling of Eustis, FL; paternal grandparents, Michael Maxson and Diane Maxson of Kissimmee, FL; and paternal great-grandmother, Florence Dorshorst of Festus, MO.
Makensi is further survived by her maternal aunts and uncles, Ryan Norris, Roni Portzen, Desiree Norris, and Rita Lee Anne Starling; paternal aunts and uncles, Christopher Maxson, Colin Maxson, and Jami Maxson; and her paternal cousins, Megan Gretzmacher, Logan Maxson, Elayna Maxson, and Landre Maxson.
Services will be held at Harden/Pauli Funeral Home in Eustis on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., with a service to follow at 10:00 a.m. An online guestbook is available at www.hardenpauli.com. Arrangements are by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations to support Cade’s future college fund and help prepare him for later in life through GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/acb53c363