Dr. Maxine Mimms Death, Obituary – The loss of Dr. Maxine Mimms is immeasurable. There are no words that can fully express the depth of grief I feel, and I know I’m not alone. She wasn’t just an educator; she was a force of nature, someone who carried the weight of generations of wisdom and shared it with love, humor, power, and an undeniable magic. Dr. Mimms touched not only my life, but the lives of my entire family, and her impact is something I can never put fully into words.
Dr. Mimms had the unique ability to see the potential in everyone. She believed in us when we didn’t believe in ourselves, and she dedicated her life to lifting up communities, to helping people—especially Black and Brown people—find their voices, tell their stories, and discover their power. Her belief in the strength of our stories and her commitment to teaching us how to own them brought us all closer to understanding who we were meant to be.
She founded The Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus with a vision, creating a place where transformation could happen. It was more than just a campus; it was a sanctuary for learning, healing, and rising above the challenges we face. Dr. Mimms held space for all of us to be seen, heard, and valued. My family and I are forever grateful for the love, wisdom, and leadership she showed us. She was a leader in the truest sense—always standing firm, always lifting others up, always reminding us of the power we held within.
Her legacy runs deep within us, and her light will continue to guide us. She honored the ancestors, and now she joins them, adding her strength to theirs. As we grieve, we also celebrate her incredible life and the path she forged for us. We will carry on from here, as she would have wanted.
Dr. Maxine Mimms, rest well and rise in power. You paved the way for us, and for that, we are forever grateful. Thank you for everything you gave to us, for everything you were, and for everything you continue to be in spirit.
