Maxcell was born September 26,1935, in Laurel, Mississippi to John H. Spriggs and Mary Harkless. He grew up in Laurel, MS graduating from high school and attending Jackson State College where he graduated with a teaching and coaching degree. During this time, he played college football at Jackson State College where he was an accomplished football player. Following his graduation from Jackson State College, he went on to teach and coach at the high school level. He enjoyed coaching football and was very successful, but also, he coached girls high school basketball. He and Nancy Rutter were married on July 14, 1979. Following Maxcell's retirement from teaching and coaching they moved back to the Kingsley, IA area to a farm.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy, one daughter, Angela Kemp, three sons, Darrell (Terri) Spriggs, Michael Spriggs and Maxcell Spriggs Jr., ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two sisters, Carmen Bolton and Lisa Wily, nieces and a nephew and many cousins, godson, Quentin Ward, goddaughter, Bella Rutter, and special families, Rachel Dreon, and Stanley Ward.

Maxcell was preceded in death by his parents, and aunts and uncles.