Obituary of Gertrue Stapp Maddox

Sarah Gertrue Stapp Maddox of Fyffe, Alabama entered the majesty of heaven on June 17, 2023. She celebrated there with her heavenly father and so many others waiting for her – notably Haskell Maurel Maddox, her spouse of 63 years, and her loving son, Teddy Maurel Maddox, who entered heaven far too soon for all his family. Her brother L.D. Stapp, Sr., a WWII veteran, will also welcome her. She is survived by one daughter Glennis (Robert) Williams, son Jeff (Cheri) Maddox, daughter-in-law Janie Maddox, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. Gertrue or ‘Trudy’, her preferred names, had family and friends who regarded her as the exemplary Godly woman, caring for all of God’s living things (including stray cats!). She worked long hours in the difficult years of WWII helping with the farming, vegetable gardening, and later, as a textile worker in the famous ‘sock mills’ and the Grenoble/’Izod label’ shirt industry. Gertrue was one of many women devoted to the Highway Church of God. The women’s group was called ‘The Willing Workers.’ The Willing Workers were the fundraising arm of the church. Trudy always made a red velvet cake that would receive advance donations of $500/each. Trudy could not meet the demand, even before the supply chain was an issue! Gertrue was an avid supporter of traditional education. In the early 1900s, she attended a one room schoolhouse, and she later attended Geraldine High School. Her favorite class was spelling. She always encouraged her three children to do their best in education. She deserves acclamations for the university degrees of her three children, which included one in math/physics, one in mechanical engineering, and one in electrical engineering. How can the conclusion of such a godly life be documented? Perhaps with some excerpts from Crossing the Bar by Alfred Lord Tennyson – “Sunset and evening star And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar When I put out to sea… …Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark… …I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar.” All of the family wishes to extend gratitude to the staff and medical personnel of Collinsville Nursing Home. Most importantly, love and gratefulness to Janie Maddox for the long term care of our Trudy. Funeral services are set for 4pm Sunday, June 18, 2023 from the W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel with Bro. Morrell Upchurch and her son Jeff Maddox officiating. Burial will be in The Highway Church of God Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3 until 4pm Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests you donate to the Highway Church of God cemetery fund c/o Debra Maddox 538 Co Rd 843, Fyffe, Al 35971.