Genelle Maddux

Her parents, Mineola Rothermel Moore and William Roy Moore, Sr., named her Hunter Genelle, as they thought she was going to be a boy. Not being a “tomboy”, she never liked to be called Hunter and always went by Genelle.

Genelle’s early years growing up with her brother (Roy) and two sisters (Paula and Sara), were spent in several small west Texas towns, and she often wondered why they didn’t have an oil well of their own. She loved being in a large close-knit family, as it meant she always had playmates around. This made her want a large family as well, and family was an important pillar in her life.

Her family lived in a house across the street from a Methodist church, but instead of her parents taking her to church, she and her sisters ended up taking them. When she was about 11 years old, she and her sisters Paula and Sara decided they wanted to walk across the street and go to church, and the Methodist church became an important part of her life from that day forward.

Her family moved to Fort Worth in 1942 where she attended Stripling Jr., Daggett Jr. High, the original Paschal High School, and then went on to Texas Wesleyan College.

In 1949 she married the love of her life, Wayne Elbert Maddux, Sr., whom she had met in the youth group at Fort Worth’s Highland Park United Methodist. They were both active members of the Methodist Church throughout their entire life; at Highland Park, Carter Park, Westcreek, and Arborlawn. Just a few of her roles at church were participating and teaching in Sunday School, singing in the choir, being a Greeter, and volunteering for any and all other roles needed. She modeled the best behavior of a good community member, giving her time and resources to church, social, and charitable functions.

Together she and Wayne raised five children, three boys and two girls. Her early child raising years were spent at school, church, or at home involved in all of her kids’ activities. Between working in the elementary school office, PTA for five children, teaching Sunday School, sewing clothes for her girls, cooking for the family, and being active in both the Women’s Society and Eastern Star; life was very, very busy. Life got even busier when she went back to work (paid work that is!), when her youngest son started kindergarten. She worked at the Tarrant County Courthouse in both the Voter Registration and Auto License departments for several years, until she was offered a job running a one-person office. She then became the Executive Director of the Fort Worth Association of Life Underwriters. I guess all that scheduling for a family of seven paid off!

In 1973 she and Wayne took up square dancing, which became a joy in their life for about 40 years. They loved to travel and were fortunate to take many trips to all 50 states, Canada, and Nova Scotia. In 1996 they were blessed to be part of a mission trip to Honduras to help build a bridge in conjunction with Honduras Outreach, a mission team from Decatur, Georgia. This bridge was dedicated to honor their oldest son, Wayne Jr., who passed away of cancer in January of 1995.

Some of the trips they took were tied in with business trips while she served as Executive Director of the Fort Worth Association of Life Underwriters for many years. After Genelle’s retirement from the FWALU and Wayne’s retirement from General Dynamics (now Lockheed), they spent many years volunteering at Tarrant County College in the College for Kids and the “senior education” programs. She continued meeting up with some of their TCC friends monthly for lunch until just a few months ago. They also served in their neighborhood Code Blue program, and Paschal reunion committee.

She was married to Wayne for over 65 years and he passed away in October of 2014. After he passed, she was able to spend a few months having just “sister” time with her younger sister and best friend Sara, before Sara passed away too soon in March of 2015. In 2016 Genelle decided to sell her house and move to an apartment at Trinity Courtyard. Being at Trinity Courtyard kept her close to her church, stores, and restaurants, and she made new friends there to spend time with. She amazed all of us with her ability to continually keep in touch with those she loved throughout her life, as her friends were always so dear to her.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She optimized a “Life Well Lived”, with a wonderful life full of happiness and achievement. Over the past year she emphasized that “All is Well with My Soul”. We hope that her legacy lives on with the love she instilled in everyone whose lives she has touched.

Genelle was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne E. Maddux, her son, Wayne E. Maddux, Jr., parents Mineola and Roy Moore, and siblings, William Roy Moore, Jr., Paula Moore Swilley, and Sara Jo Moore Bruner.

Genelle is survived by her daughter-in-law, Pat.; sons, Delane (& Carole) and Troy (& Linda), and daughters, Rita (& Brad) and Joyce (& Andrew). Her grandchildren, John (& Heather), Katy (& Alexander), Hunter, Carter (& Darbi), Garrett, Elissa (& Alasdair), Matthew and Douglas, and Great Grandchildren Kai, Violet, and Natalie. She is also survived by her loving extended family and many friends, which are too numerous to name individually.

In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated in Genelle’s memory to: Arborlawn UMC, 5001 Briarhaven Rd., Fort Worth, TX, 76109, or a charity of your choice.