Maxwell Glenn Biggs

Chief Maxwell Glenn Biggs, U.S. Navy (Ret.), 64, of Florence, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2026, after a heroic battle with cancer, surrounded by his family.

Max was born on May 24, 1962, in Norman, Oklahoma, the son of Chester Maxwell Biggs Jr. and Betty May Mallard Biggs, and was raised in Wilmington, Whiteville, and Lumberton, North Carolina.

Max answered the call to serve his country and gave 22 years to the United States Navy, serving as a Torpedoman's Mate and retiring at the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He served aboard ships including the USS Puget Sound (AD-38), USS Yosemite (AD-19), USS Wainwright (CG-28), USS L. Y. Spear (AS-36), and USS Cole (DDG-67), and he supported Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War. The latter half of his career brought him to Florence, South Carolina, as a Navy recruiter — the beginning of a lifelong bond with the community he would come to call home. He was a Life Member of VFW Post 8969 in Lumberton, NC, and a member of the American Legion Post 545 in Wilmington.

In civilian life, Max held leadership roles across the Florence area with Target, Assurant Group, ADP, Firehouse Subs, and Palmetto Infusion, and spent his longest tenure at McLeod Health, where he led annual training for the countless employees who passed through the hospital's halls. Teamwork and being part of something bigger than yourself were the tenets at the heart of everything he taught.

Max was an active member of NewSpring Church, where he poured his heart into the KidSpring children's ministry. His warm smile and grandfatherly presence brought comfort and joy to every child in his care.

Most importantly, Max was an extraordinary father and grandfather. He gave his children his time, his patience, and his example, and he raised them the way he lived — steady, faithful, and unafraid of hard work. But nothing on this earth brought him more joy than his grandchildren. He spoiled them the best he could without apology. The pocket knife he carried for so much of his life went from opening plane packages to opening children's toys. "Papa" and "Pop-pop" were titles he wore proudly.

He was preceded in death by his father, Chester Maxwell Biggs Jr., and his oldest brother, "Buddy" Thomas Grover Mathis.

He is survived by his mother, Betty May Mallard Biggs; his devoted wife of 42 years, Kimberly Bruce Biggs; his sons, Donovan Glenn Biggs (Billi) and Steven Maxwell Biggs (Betsy); his daughter, Sammie Jo Biggs; his siblings, Walker Otto Biggs (Emily), Greta Ann Biggs, and Mickey Joe Biggs; his six cherished grandchildren, Bruce Orion Maxwell Biggs, Xiomara Sofia Estela Biggs, Alyssa Mae Mincey-Biggs, Liam Donovan Biggs, Benji Murphy Biggs, and Maddie Eleanor Biggs; and his great-grandson, Ky'lieke Jameson Mincey-Biggs.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home, 2402 S. Irby Street, Florence, South Carolina. A funeral service will be held Friday, September 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the funeral home, with Justin Rhodes officiating. Interment will follow at 10:00 a.m. at Florence National Cemetery with full military honors.

Arrangements are in the care of Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. Condolences may be shared with the family online at stoudenmiredowling.com.