Rev. Cecil Maddox, Jr.

Rev. Cecil Maddox, 89, of South Fulton died Sunday, January 17, 2021, at Tennessee State Veteran's Home in Humboldt.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2021, at Fulton City High School. Interment will follow in Obion County Memorial Gardens. A private service will be held.

Reverend Cecil Maddox Jr. was born on March 06, 1931 to Cecil Maddox, Sr. and Thelma Chambers. He was educated in the Obion County Tennessee School System and graduated in 1949. He furthered his education by receiving a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University in 1959 and a master’s degree from Murray State University in 1966.

He served in the Navy from 1951-1955 during the Korean War. He holds distinguished military medals for his service. The China Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (Five Stars), United Nations Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
On March 16, 1955 he married Martha Norman Bright in Yuma, AZ. Six children were born of this union. Rev Maddox began his teaching career at Milton Elementary School, in Fulton, KY in 1962.

In 1965 he helped to integrate the Kentucky school system by becoming the first African American male teacher and Principal at Carr Elementary. He worked in the Fulton Independent School District for over 28 years, throughout his teaching career he also coached football and basketball until he retired in 1990. For his dedication to the Fulton Independent School District a Junior High addition was named in is honor on August 16, 2001.
Rev. Maddox was a devout Christian, he was called to minister in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in 1970, where he served for more than 30 years and presided over churches including Mt. Herman, Mt Olive both in Millington, TN and Salter Chapel in Dyersburg, TN.

Reverend Cecil Maddox attended Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, South Fulton, Tn from 2015 until the time of his death. Rev. Mercer often referred to him as his Father in the Ministry. When Rev. Mercer came to South Fulton, Rev. Maddox and the late William T. Atkins introduced him to the community.

Rev. Maddox is preceded in death by his parents, wife Martha, daughters Tonya and Monica, three sisters and one brother. He leaves to cherish his memory sons Cecil Maddox III of Kansas City, MO, Maurice Maddox, Ben (Latoya) Maddox of Dallas TX, and daughter Ima Dickerson (Albert Clark) of Kansas City, MO. Brother Ardell Maddox (Mary) and sister Shirley Beasley of Cape Girardeau, MO. Grandchildren, Turane, Eric, Shaneka, Antonio, Christal, Latrease, and Kimora and 14 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Rev. Cecil Maddox, Jr was certainly one that inspired others to go beyond the norm. He was tenacious, brilliant and operated with a spirit of excellence and class. He touched countless lives in his hometown of South Fulton Tennessee and far beyond.

His ability to touch lives was seen as a father in his home, a pastor delivering a sermon, a teacher in the classroom and a coach on the court or field. His sense of humor and quick wit attracted many to him.

Rawls Funeral Home - South Fulton 731-479-2181