Reverend Gerald Houston Maddox, a former resident of the Screamer Community, near Abbeville, Alabama, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Valley View Health and Rehabilitation in Madison, Alabama. He was 89.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Liberty Methodist Church with Reverand Tom Skeen officiating. Burial will follow in the Liberty Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. prior to the service. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Liberty Methodist Church Cemetery Fund c/o Winnie Landsverk, 111 Kirkland Street, Abbeville, AL 36310.
Rev. Maddox was born in Dothan, Alabama. He graduated from Dothan High School in 1955. He earned an undergraduate degree from Troy University and a Masters of Divinity from Emory University. He dedicated his life to serving God through ministry. Rev. Maddox served as a minister of the United Methodist Church beginning in 1956 while he was still in college. He continued to serve as a minister at various United Methodist Churches such as Capital Heights in Montgomery, Park Street in Troy, and Moundville in Moundville until 1983. In 1984, Rev. Maddox began working at the Alabama-West Florida Conference headquarters in Andalusia. There he held various roles including in missions and with the conference treasurer. His service did not stop with his retirement in 1998. Rev. Maddox became a retired supply minister and worked with the conference credit union for many years after his retirement.
In addition to being a pastor, Rev. Maddox served in the Air National Guard at Dannelly Field, in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1989, he was awarded the rank of Colonel and State Staff Chaplain. He retired in 1992, after over 25 years of service.
Reverend Maddox was preceded in death by his parents, Edward James and Jamie Sue Lassiter Maddox and both his brothers, James Maddox and Jack Maddox.
Leaving to cherish his memories are his wife of 67 years , Emily Joyce Watford Maddox; their three children, Dr. Greg Maddox (Dr. Sheryl McCurdy), Chris Maddox (Helen) and Joyia McCurley (Mark); his six grandchildren, Jason Maddox; Katherine Maddox (Thomas Burgermeister); Anthony Larson; Emily Schweikert (CJ); Logan McCurley; Sydney McCurley; his three great grandchildren Emalie Maddox-Brummitt; Theodore Bugermeister Maddox; Cyrus Schweikert; his sister-in-law Cecelia Martin Maddox; and the Watford family, who Gerald dearly loved.
The family would like to thank Stacy and Hospice Family Care and the staff at Valley View Health and Rehabilitation for their care.
HOLMAN ABBEVILLE MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-585-5261. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
