July 20, 1932 – February 24, 2020
Geraldine “Jerry” was born on July 20, 1932 to Carrie Mae (Posey) and Luther Wesley Hester, in Little Rock, AR. She graduated from Little Rock Central High School in May, 1950 and Little Rock Junior College in May, 1952.
Jerry married the Love of her life, Edsel Dean Maddox, on September 28, 1952. Edsel preceded her in death on May 10, 2007. They were married for over 54 years and from this union came three wonderful children: Danny Dean (Dee), Deborah Ann Maddox Baucum (Gary), and, Douglas Wayne (Mirtha), all born in Big Spring, TX at Webb AFB.
Jerry’s love of learning continued throughout her life, and she went on to receive her BA at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (1975), her MA in Education (1981) plus Administrator’s Certificate. Her education culminated with Jerry’s earning her Ph.D. in Administration, Supervision and Curriculum Development from the University of Colorado at Denver (May 1997). Jerry taught in schools in Texas, North Carolina and finally in District 20 at Air Academy Junior High School and Challenger Middle School. She became Assistant Principal at Challenger Middle School in 1991. Jerry loved young people and thoroughly enjoyed working with them and the staff in District 20.
Jerry was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and locally Mountain View Church of Christ. She utilized her teaching skills writing middle school curriculum for several congregations throughout her lifetime and taught Bible classes for most of her adult life. She taught a Sunday morning ladies class for 15 years. Teaching was not just a vocation; it was her lifework. She never stopped teaching and learning.
In addition to being survived by her children, Jerry was blessed with nine grandchildren: Tonya (Joe), Nicole, Michael, Cailean, Katy (John), Danny, Mark (Jaclyn), Jean (Carol), and Melvin; and with eight great-grandchildren: McKenna, Brooklyn, Josiah, Isa, Luke, Levi, Ruby, and Grace. She is also survived by a host of Rinehart nieces and nephews, and the Maddox Family.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd. Inurnment will follow at Shrine of Remembrance. A 12:30 p.m. reception will be at Mountain View Church of Christ, 1080 E. La Salle St.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Pike’s Peak Library District at PPLD.org.
Betty L Colby
26 Feb 2020Debbie, so sorry to hear about your mother. God bless you and your family…Ted & Betty Colby
Kim Elliott
27 Feb 2020Oh Jerry, you will be missed. You were my mentor, my coach, and my cheerleader at the beginning of my teaching career. God bless you and your family.
Sherry Gough
27 Feb 2020Debbie, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. She was always so nice and sweet to me. I loved her yearly christmas letters. I sure will miss them. You and your family are in my prayers. Love, Sherry
Patty Turbyfill
27 Feb 2020I am So Sorry for Your Sadness Deb, Gary & Family!! May the Love, Peace, & Grace of God be with You Deb, Gary & Your Family!! Thanking Jesus for his Promise, until we meet again!! I Love You Deb!!
❤✝️❤
Stella Lively
27 Feb 2020Jerry was an awesome lady! And the heavenly choir has another beautiful voice, now.
Shannon Gilchrist
27 Feb 2020Debbie, I am so sorry. She was a special Christian lady and I respected her so much.
I have been suffering from many health issues. Just got out if hospital today. Feeling much better.
I send you all my love!
Shannon
Sylvia Heida
27 Feb 2020Debbie so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. Prayers for you and the family. Love you, Ed and Sylvia.
María Croucier
27 Feb 2020Hello Debbie, our condolences to you and your family. We were fortunate to have met Jerry and have food and wonderful conversations with her several times. She was a beautiful soul and just a delightful person. We will always have beautiful memories of Jerry. Without doubt her reunion is sweet indeed right now with her beloved Edzel and her family. With much love, Donna and Maria
William Doll
27 Feb 2020It seems that God needed some more angels. I think He got the best there is. So sorry to hear about your Aunt and Mother. Prayers for you and family
Bill & Arlene Doll
Dave and Carol Hubbell
27 Feb 2020We are so sorry for the family’s loss, and am so disappointed we can’t be at the memorial service. Your mom was clearly a blessing to those around her. May her children carry on that legacy of loving Christ in word and deed.
Roger Maddox
27 Feb 2020I am saddened at the loss of Aunt Jerry. But we rejoice as she has reached her heavenly reward and rejoins her beloved Edsel. My thoughts and prayers are with all of us who loved her and will miss her. Roger Maddox
Marie O'Brien
27 Feb 2020So sorry for your loss. Knowing she is home with Jesus is a comfort to all her family. Marie O’Brien
Jean-Pierre Rondon
27 Feb 2020I am saddened at the loss of memaw Jerry. I didn’t get to spend time with her like I wanted. Life gets in the way. I can only imagine how amazing she must have been because she raised the best son and gave my mom the most amazing husband that any woman could ask for. She is in a better place now and God knows she is smiling down upon us all.
Mariselda Parra-Duran
27 Feb 2020Beloved Douglas, Mirtha and family We deeply feel Jerry’s departure, she left a beautiful memory on the lives of everyone who knew her. We know that God is rejoice with her presence in heaven.
With love,
Mariselda and family
Leilani and Francisco
27 Feb 2020Douglas and Mirtha – Our condolences go out to you and your family for the loss of Douglas’ dear mother, Jerry. She will be in our prayers.
“Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.”
AC Hawkins
28 Feb 2020Our heartfelt prayers are for the Maddox family. Douglas and Mirtha have been such a blessing to us, and we want them to know we are there in prayerful support for him and the entire family. Although we never met Jerry, her legacy is carried on through the many lives she nurtured.
Linda Craig
28 Feb 2020Jerry was my adminstrator when I began my teaching career in 1996. I didn’t know which way was up, and Jerry was a gift from God. What a classy, patient, kind, mentor she was. I never saw her lose her temper, she treated everyone equally, and she made it clear that she was there to help me through whatever the classroom threw my way. I knew I could go to her for constructive criticism lathered with encouragement. She was a lady who let Jesus shine through her, and I just can’t express how much I loved and respected her. I’m sorry she’s gone, but I’m happy she’s with Jesus and Edsel.
coy Gaddie
28 Feb 2020I LOVE JERRY MADDOX!! Jerry was one of those people that made you feel like you were the most important person in the world!! You always knew that she was doing that for everyone else, NOT JUST YOU!! Mrs. Maddox made me a better teacher, a better coach and a better man. Thank God for Jerry Maddox!! I love you so much, and so did everyone else!!
Anonymous
28 Feb 2020Dearest Debbie & Family
Thank You for sharing Your Mom’s Life Journey. We are sorry for Your Loss but Joyful in knowing She is in Jesus Embrace in Heaven
Praying for Comfort and Peace
Blessings and Love Sandi & Johnny Mendibles
Liz O’Neal
28 Feb 2020It’s always hard to say good bye but Jerry leaves such sweet memories.
My kids (Robby and Liz) the grandkids thought a lot of her as they used to be neighbors with “Dr Jerry” and liked doing things for her. She was a blessing to them –
Ron and Cindy Hobelman
28 Feb 2020For Danny and Dee and family we send our love and prayers. It is so hard to say this final goodbye. May God wrap you up in His everlasting arms.
Anonymous
1 May 2020Dear Family, you might not see this but Carolyn and I were saddened for you in you loss. But rejoice that Jerry was a Christian. We worship with your family in Goldsboro, NC in the 60’s.
God bless,
Robert & Carolyn Goff
Teresa Vincent
5 May 2021I found this obituary while searching for my favorite teachers through the years. . Mrs. Maddox was my 8th grade English teacher at Air Academy Jr. High and she was unforgettable. My condolences to the family, just know that she was so amazing that a 52 year old me was thinking of her and how much I loved her class when I was 14.