Malene Maddox, 91, of Cabot, entered into her eternal rest on Monday, July 25, 2022. The oldest of six children, she was born October 7, 1930, to Earnest and Bessie Martin of Winfield, Alabama. She learned at an early age to be a responsible, contributing member of her family. She helped care for her siblings, picked cotton in her daddy's fields and by the time she was in high school, kept the books for his coal mining business. After graduation she became the first member of her family to go to college, attending Florence State Teachers College (now the University of North Alabama), graduating after only three years. Three months later, at the age of 21, she began a lifelong career as an elementary school teacher, ending her time in education as a school principal. At age 22 she met a young man from Arkansas named Paul Maddox. After dating for two months (!) they were married on August 28, 1953 and enjoyed a wonderful life together for 68 years. God blessed their marriage with four children, nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, along with a lifetime of love for each other. Malene's adult life was characterized by the virtues of hard work, responsibility and service to others that she had learned as a child. She served her God as a faithful pastor's wife, children's teacher and nursery volunteer. She served her community as a poll worker and as a volunteer helping families in need with their taxes. She served so many friends and family members by caring for them in their time of sickness or need. She served her children by being a wonderful mother who sacrificed her wants and needs for them and loved them unconditionally with all her heart. Malene enjoyed her life and spent her time productively. She loved sewing, quilting, gardening, reading (especially her Bible), playing games and genealogy. She came to know Christ at an early age and was later baptized in the Mississippi River. She taught her children from the scripture and by living what she taught.  Malene was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Maddox; her parents, Earnest and Bessie Martin; her daughter, Charlotte; her sisters, Jean Sandlin and Carol Aldridge; her brother, Keith Martin, along with a multitude of loved ones and friends.

Malene is survived by her sisters, Betty Lemaster and Linda Schneekloth; her children, Philip (Lori) Maddox, Carla (Robert) Leonard, and Bruce Maddox; her grandchildren, David (Natalie) Leonard, Amy (Alex) Becker, Emily (Justin) Howard, Benjamin (Whitney) Maddox, Lauren (Thomas) Soehner, Lane (Andrew) Sword, Jacob Maddox, Audrey (Dillon Knuepfer) Maddox and Channing (Lindsey) Hopkins, along with thirteen great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 28, 2022 at Moore's Cabot Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 29, 2022 at Faith Baptist Church Cabot, Arkansas. Interment will follow at Center Point Cemetery Hazen, Arkansas.  Arrangements by Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816.