Maxwell Quinn Woodliff (Max) was born in Jackson, Mississippi on April 14, 1986 and the adventure began. The look in his eyes when he first took flight on his grandfather's (Pop) zipline let us know he wouldn't sit still for long. His quick feet served him well crab hunting in the Florida coastal dune lakes. Mother Kathy and Father Dan spent a number of days watching him run far and wide on the shores of the beach and holding him close as the sun set.

Locally known as a legendary tree climber, it only made sense that his parents found him on the roof of their new Belhaven home at the age of five. He eventually got down and made his way to the same neighborhood elementary school his grandfather (Big Daddy) attended. During the first grade he overcame his reading struggles with the guidance of Dr. Connie Schimmel. The experience played a pivotal role in his pursuit as a kindergarten teacher.

Max made lifelong friends at Jackson Prep. They were wild and all seemed to be in on a cosmic joke. It's believed they encouraged his bodacious dancing, but we ultimately know Max is solely responsible for having his Jackson Prep dance privileges revoked.

He went west with friends to attend the University of Montana. After a cold winter, he decided to head south to Ole Miss. During this time, Max discovered his passion for travel. He first went to Europe with brother Dan and friends. On an overnight train in Germany, Dan caught a glimpse of Max studying the maps of his next destination and saw him for who he truly was–an explorer.

Max was in Bhutan when he should have been receiving his diploma for a degree in Psychology from the University of Mississippi. There was no stopping him and his friends at that point. In total, they visited 17 countries: Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Dubai. Max's laughter echoes most freely in reflection of these travels.

While pursuing a graduate degree at Western Michigan University, Max was diagnosed with multidrug resistant tuberculosis and went to Denver, Colorado for treatment. At the request of the medical team at National Jewish in Denver, he subsequently testified at a Congressional hearing in 2010 to advocate for better treatment for tuberculosis. Max's courageous struggle with tuberculosis was one of many times his father Dan acted in the role of a patient advocate on behalf of a family member. Max returned to Jackson to recover and that is where he met Beth Fossen.

He was drawn to her spirit of creativity, warmth, and sense of purpose. She was his one true love. They moved to Atlanta where Beth received her Ph.D. in Marketing. Max and Beth were married at St Andrew's Cathedral on June 21, 2014. In 2018 they relocated to Bloomington, Indiana where Beth accepted a position as a Professor of Marketing at the Kelley School of Business.

June 3rd, 2019 brought Beth and Max the greatest gift, the birth of their twins, Ruth and Luke.

With the daily support of Beth's parents,Tom and Delores Fossen and the help of Max's parents, Dan and Kathy, they set out to create the best world possible for the twins. The time Max had with his family was his purest joy.

Max was ushered into glory by his maternal grandparents, Katherine and Edwin Luper and his paternal grandparents, Ann and George F. Woodliff. He is survived by his wife Beth Fossen, his children, Ruth and Luke Fossen Woodliff of Bloomington, Indiana, his parents, Dr. Dan and Mrs. Kathy Woodliff of Jackson, Mississippi, his brother, Dan Woodliff, Jr. of Panama City Beach, Florida, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family who loved him dearly. Those wishing to make a donation are invited to contact the McClean Fletcher Grief Support Center, St. Andrew's Cathedral, or the charity of your choice. A service of celebration of Max's life will be held on Saturday, February 5, at 11 AM at St. Andrew's Cathedral with interment of Max's ashes in All Souls' Walk Columbarium immediately following. Visitation will begin at 10 AM in the parish hall.

Max suffered from severe depression. He had superb care. When he was overwhelmed by emotions, family, friends, and doctors sought to nurture him through the waves of pain. He wanted to reciprocate that generosity, and when he didn't have the strength to do so, he'd ask that you take care of yourself.

We are grateful for all those who walked with Max. He is home.