Josephine Maddox

Josephine Cary Patterson Maddox, age 86, passed away Monday, June 12, 2023. A celebration of life service will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, June 25th in the Chapel at First Baptist Church, Sanford. The family will greet friends following the service in the Parlor.

Josephine grew up in the Broadway community of Lee County and was a proud graduate of Broadway High School, class of 1955. During her high school years, she enjoyed playing basketball and cheerleading for the Wildcats. She was also an active member of Lee County 4-H and shared many stories about her 4-H accomplishments. In addition to working on the family farm, she had the opportunity to take piano lessons and worked part-time at Broadway Drug Store. 

While with a group of friends at the North Carolina State Fair, she met Phil Maddox, her future husband, and they were married shortly thereafter. As Phil launched his career in government services and began his degree work, Josephine helped support his efforts by working in the secretarial pool at Phillips Oil Company and Gulf Oil Company. They were delighted to welcome their first daughter, Audrey, during this time. As Phil’s career advanced, the family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and they welcomed their second daughter, Melanie. In addition to being a devoted mother, she was a teacher in the preschool ministry at Glenwood Hills Baptist Church. As opportunities opened for Phil, Josephine helped transition the family for their next move to Columbia, South Carolina. As her girls grew, she was able to explore her interest in early childhood education by serving at Riverland Hills Baptist Church in their preschool ministry, teaching 4-year-old kindergarten. 

In 1970, Phil had the opportunity to come back to North Carolina and Josephine settled their family back in Lee County. They purchased a small farm and welcomed their third daughter, Leslie. She and Phil loved to garden and worked tirelessly in their yard together, rooting azaleas, planting flowers, and creating a beautiful landscape for everyone to enjoy. They were married for 62 years and as their family grew, Josephine welcomed sons-in-law and precious grandchildren that were her pride and joy. She loved her home and her family most of all and was perfectly content anytime the family was gathered together.

Josephine was a member of First Baptist Church, teaching four-year-old Sunday School and helping serve snack supper for many years. She eventually settled into the Friendship Class and loved her Sunday School friends very much. She appreciated all the care and concern from her church family in the last few years and was always excited for a visit. 

Mrs. Maddox is survived by her daughters, Audrey Maddox Donaldson, and husband John, Melanie Maddox West, and husband Mark, and Leslie Maddox Hanna, and husband Joe, all of Sanford; grandchildren, Brian Donaldson, Trent Clark-West (Victoria), Caroline West Nave (Taylor), Mary Margaret Hanna, Audrey Hanna, Jonathan Hanna, Emily Hanna, and Cameron Hanna. She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip Celey Maddox; her parents, Alvie Oldham Patterson and Margaret Doris Rogers Patterson; a grandson, Brett Donaldson, and a granddaughter, Madison West; and siblings Rachel Hunter, Frances Byrd, and A.O. Patterson Jr.

Memorial contributions may be made to Baptist Children’s Homes of NC, P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361