Emily Ruth (Nunnally) Maddox

One of God’ s choice daughters, Emily Ruth Nunnally Maddox, 91, realized the promises of her lifelong faith and met her Creator at 5:15 AM on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at the Gregory Green House in Tupelo, where she had resided the last several months.  She was born on July 24, 1931 in Barnseville, Ga. to the late James Carter Nunnally and Ruth Webb Nunnally Huston.  Emily graduated from Troy High School and received her BS in Medical Technology from Auburn University. She met and married Joe Lynn Maddox in Birmingham, Ala. on January 15, 1954.  His work transferred them to Tupelo in 1959 and they made their home here for the last 63 years where they were beloved citizens.  Emily spent her working life as a medical technologist for the Infants and Children’s Clinic in Tupelo, which was a partnership with Drs. McDougal, Tharp, Winkler and Wilburn.  She loved children and with her comforting brown eyes she was tender, encouraging, and gentle.  At least 2 generations knew her as the “best shot lady ever”   before retiring with over 35 years service. Even into her sunset years, parents and children would call her “Shot Lady” when seeing her. She and Joe were active members of Harrisburg Baptist Church from 1959 until their deaths.  Emily was a longtime member and president of the Ruth Sunday school class and was a Den mother for Cub Scouts.   Her sweet countenance and love of biblical teachings is legendary, as was her “side ministry” of sending cards of encouragement to Church members and friends everywhere.  Emily was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister who loved taking care of her family. Her welcoming home was headquarters for family and friend gatherings, meals and top notch fellowship.  A green thumb especially with plants, orchids and violets, Joe and Emily were leaders for years of the North Mississippi Rose Society. She gave Joe all the credit but she watered, tagged and presented the roses at each showing.  Even though her last couple years was plagued with declining health, Emily kept the faith, her radiant smile and her genuine love for God and his people up to the end.  Her life was beauty, truth, joy and purpose filled-she did not live in vain!

A service celebrating her life will be held at 11 AM Saturday, October 22, 2022 from the Sadie M. Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Bro. David Smith officiating.   Private family only burial will be in Lee Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 10 AM-service time Saturday only at the Holland-Tupelo Chapel, which is honored to be serving their friends.  For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Livestreaming at 11 AM Saturday and permanently archived thereafter.

Mom leaves to celebrate her life, her 4 children:  David Maddox (Barbara), Lance Maddox (Kay), Kristie Gholson (Chuck) and Kim Tutor (Lee).   Her 5 grandchildren who revered “ MawMaw”, Jessica Smallwood (Grant), Brad Gholson (Amanda), Keri Bucurel (Tommy), Carrie Russell (Cory) and Emily Dahlke (Matthew);  her great grandchildren, Jackson, Elizabeth, Meredith, Camille, Cora, Austin and Kinley;  a sister, Carol Ann Duckworth (Mike) and their children, Mike, Jr. and Allyson; a brother in law, William Kimmey Maddox and a sister in law, June Mosely and numerous nieces, nephews and their families and special caregivers, Gloria Fitzpatrick and Arzella Foster.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Joe on Sept. 12, 2014, 4 brothers, James Edward, John Robert, Clarence Hudson and Walter Carter Nunnally.

Pallbearers will be Brad Gholson, Mike Duckworth, Sr. and Jr., Grant Smallwood, Tommy Bucurel, Cory Russell, Matthew Dahlke, Jackson Connor and Austin Bucurel.

The family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105 or to Samaritan’s Purse, P. O. Box 3000, Boone, N.C. 28607.  The family wishes to thank NMMC Home Health and Hospice Staff as well as the dedicated workers at Gregory Greenhouse for their loving care of their mom.