CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Austin Peay State University has announced the passing of Cathi Maynard, 65, following a 35-year battle with multiple sclerosis. The university issued a statement that Maynard had passed away on Friday with her family by her side.
“Today we mourn the loss of a great governor, Mrs. Cathi Maynard,” Austin Peay Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison said in a statement. “During my time in Clarksville, Cathi not only discussed or wished to make an impact on Austin Peay Athletics, but she also was a force that made an impact.
“She never accepted enough was enough; she pushed me to do more, fundraise more, encourage more, and impact more, and that’s the way she lived her life,” Harrison said.
Joe and Cathi Maynard have worked relentlessly to help those in need around the Montgomery County area, which included donating $15 million to the Austin Peay Athletics Department, the largest donation in university history.
Having served in the army as a Military Police officer and boat pilot, another foundation Cathi was passionate about was “A Soldier’s Child,” which aims to serve the children of fallen military personnel, according to a news release by JCM Racing.
Alongside her husband, Cathi Maynard wasn’t only a philanthropist, but also a business owner. The Maynards had recently opened up Shelby’s Trio earlier this year while founding JCM Racing last summer.
“We want to go out and make her proud this weekend,” Tony Schumacher said with JCM Racing. “I would love nothing more than to earn ourselves a trophy that we can send back to Clarksville in her honor. Our hearts go out to Joe, Joe C., and the whole family. Now, we just need to go out and win this race, and I know we’ve got an angel riding with us.”
What’s next
For the next 24 hours, the lights at Cathi Maynard Park will remain turned on to honor her memory.
Cathi is survived by her husband, Joe, her sons Joe C. Maynard and Lucas Maynard, and three grandchildren, Joe, Shelby and Haylee, according to JCM Racing.
JCM Racing also detailed that as a veteran, Cathi will be laid to rest at the Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. A memorial service will be held in Clarksville at a later date.
