Verdie Maddox

Verdie Maddox

January 29, 1934 – April 18, 2025

Verdie Maddox, 91, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. Beloved by all, she will be remembered for her Christian faith and love for people, especially those less fortunate.

Verdie was born on January 29, 1934, at Norwood Dairy Farm in Orangefield, Texas, to Clarence and Lena (Foreman) Granger. She, along with her three biological sisters, was later adopted by her uncle and aunt, Vezie and Bernice Foreman. Raised in Orange, Verdie graduated from Stark High School in 1952 and worked at DuPont as a lab technician.

In 1953 Verdie married Lloyd “Lum” Freeman in El Paso shortly before Lum was deployed to Korea. After his return, they lived in Mauriceville, Texas, where they raised six children. Their marriage sadly ended in 1975 when Lum passed away. Verdie later moved to Houston and worked as an accountant at Personal Touch Home Care. In Houston, she met the next love of her life, Kenneth Kyle Maddox, whom she married in 1987, adding three stepchildren to her loving family. During their 38 years of marriage, Verdie and Ken lived in Cypress, Trinity, and Orange, Texas.

Verdie’s children were her pride and joy. She was known as the “fun mom” by her children’s friends during their childhood. She joined in on their music and dancing, hosted parties for her teenagers, played cards late into the night, and was usually the loudest parent at sports events.

She also enjoyed bowling, softball, traveling, crossword puzzles, and volunteering at church and other charities. As a devout Catholic, her love and close relationship with the Lord and His Mother inspired others, especially her children and grandchildren, to have faith in God and love everyone regardless of status.

Verdie is survived by her husband Ken Maddox; her children Keith Freeman (Sue), Delena Delabarre, Regina Karl (Alan), Tim Freeman, Lisa Hargrave (Neal), Russell Maddox, Kyle Maddox, Ronnie Maddox (Caroline), and daughter-in-law Martha Freeman; her grandchildren Terry Freeman, Krystal Malveaux (Naika), Sheena Magee (Ray), Kory Freeman (Hailey), Chad Delabarre, Ashley Shoffner (Cameron), Austin Karl, Amy Clee (Alex), Justin Karl, Nathan Karl, Aaron Freeman, Narrin Hargrave (Amber), Ryan Maddox (Crystal), Chris Maddox (Simona), Stephanie Warren (Joshua), and Zachary Maddox, and 20 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved sisters Mary Bihm, Shirley Delome (Tee) and Eva Hryhorchuk.

She was preceded in death by her first husband Lum Freeman, son Joel Freeman, grandson Brian Maddox, biological parents Clarence and Lena Granger, adoptive parents Vezie and Bernice Foreman, stepsister Dorothy Barras and adoptive brother David Foreman.

A Rosary and Mass will be held on Saturday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4300 Meeks Drive, Orange, Texas. Internment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 4560 SH-87 S, Orange. And a luncheon to celebrate Verdie’s life will be at 4315 Shadowdale Lane in Orange.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a charity cherished by Verdie: https://ssvpusa.org/