Dorothy Lee (Rogers) Maddox

Dorothy Lee Rogers Maddox was born in Etowah, Tennessee, on April 6, 1930, to Ike and Etheleen Rogers. She was the sister of her beloved big brother, Gerald. The four of them were a family rich with love. She always said she and the Great Depression arrived at the same time, which meant early challenges and relocations. The Rogers family settled in Nashville, where Dorothy grew up on Waldkirch Avenue surrounded by neighbors who soon became friends. Dorothy was so proud to have graduated from West High School in 1948 among amazing classmates who were always dear to her. Some who knew her called her “Dot”, some called her “Dottie”, and some called her “Dorothy”, but anyone who called her “friend” was better because of it.

Dorothy left Nashville after high school to attend Carson-Newman College in East Tennessee where she collected more lifelong friends. Her time in college was abbreviated when her mother passed unexpectedly. Dorothy went home to care for her father and to work. Dorothy always said those years she lived with her father were precious. It was then she began to call Romans 8:28 her “life preserver”. She saw, in retrospect, if not for those years alone with her dad she would not have known him the way she did. “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”

Dorothy’s home church was Judson Baptist and it was there that she met her life partner and husband, Wayne Maddox, when he came to work on the church staff. They married in 1956, and began their life’s work in Christian ministry. Soon they added a daughter, Millie, then another, Barianne, and their family was complete. Dorothy supported her husband in his work at First Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where they made many dear, lifelong friends. It was during this time when Dorothy and Wayne felt the calling of God to move half a world away to the island of Okinawa, as missionaries for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. Dorothy said that God put the most favorite of her places…the mountains of Tennessee and the beaches of Florida…together, and called it “Okinawa”. They began their career as missionaries in 1970, and stayed in Japan until retirement in 1990. Upon retirement they settled in Pensacola, Florida, where they continued their life in ministry. It was at First Baptist Church of Pensacola, where Dorothy and Wayne began their work assisting those in need through the Samaritan Hands Ministry, that still lifts the weary and wounded with respect and love. Dorothy also volunteered as a counselor with Habitat for Humanity in her “spare time” so it was with reluctance that she moved to Tennessee to be close to her daughters and grandchildren in 2013.

It didn’t take long for Dorothy to find her place in yet another new town and church, this time it was First Baptist of Jefferson City, where even in advancing age, she found new friends. The highlight of those years was proximity to family. After many years all over the globe, she enjoyed being in the center of her family. Dorothy’s family and friends will miss her stories, her laugh, her funny sounds, her kindness, her generosity and her presence.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, and her husband. She temporarily leaves behind her daughters, Millie Maddox Ellis (Bill), and Barianne Maddox Wilson. Her grandchildren, Cameron Ellis (Rebecca), John Ellis, Garrett Ellis (Lauren), Sarah Coyle (Trey), Hannah McConnell (JT), and Leah Wilson (Casey). Great-grandchildren, Beckett Ellis, John Patrick Ellis, Adeline Coyle, Hunter Coyle, and Hayes McConnell. Dorothy made many friends who became like family. Kesha Lewis, whose love and care during the last years was a tremendous help, was one of these. Dorothy also dearly loved her nieces and nephews. A few in particular, Owen Lee and his wife Pat Maddox and Katherine Rogers Brown, helped walk her home.

In lieu of flowers, donations to these non-profits in Dorothy’s memory would be appropriate. Samaritan Hands Ministry, First Baptist Church, 500 N. Palafox St, Pensacola, FL 32501. MountainCare Adult Day Services PO Box 5956 Asheville, NC 28813