Cover photo for Marlita Scottie Maddox's Obituary
Marlita Scottie Maddox Profile Photo

Marlita Scottie Maddox

March 10, 1933 — November 18, 2012

Marlita Scottie Maddox

Marlita “Scottie” Maddox, age 79 of Biloxi, passed away peacefully in her home on November 18, 2012 while in the loving arms of her family. Scottie was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 10, 1933, to James R. Scott and Margaret Henderson. Scottie became accustomed early in life to moving around the country. In her childhood years, she lived in Santa Monica, California and Tucson, Arizona and finally settled in Silver Spring, Maryland. Scottie graduated from Montgomery High School and attended the University of Maryland, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority and chosen as the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi. Scottie married her sweetheart, Bill Maddox, a Sigma Chi, in 1954 and began an exciting career together in the U.S. Air Force in Bainbridge, Georgia in 1955. She loved being an Air Force wife and the Air Force became one of her many loves. After Georgia, the couple moved to Oklahoma where Scottie spent her time volunteering for activities in the community and on base. In 1956, they moved to Dover, Delaware with Scottie expecting their first son, Scott. While stationed at Dover AFB, she had two more children, Steve and Stacy, and still found time to help start a kindergarten and teach in the school for two years. Their next move was to Orlando, Florida where her fourth child, Sandy, was born. In 1963, the couple found themselves stationed overseas in Okinawa and Scottie had a wonderful time planning trips to Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong and other areas of the Orient. While there, she taught English to her Japanese friends, volunteered with the Officer’s Wives Club Thrift Store and other activities on base. Their next assignment was to California in 1966, where Scottie served as the librarian at the elementary school and stayed busy with her children’s school activities. In 1971, her husband was assigned to a remote tour in Korea, and afterwards, followed by an assignment to Keesler AFB, Mississippi. Scottie moved with her children to Biloxi, Mississippi and Bill joined her a year later. Scottie fell in love with the Mississippi Gulf Coast, thinking it was the most beautiful place in the world as she drove down Highway 90…and this just two short years after Camille. The couple settled in the Holly Hills area of Biloxi and Scottie continued her service as an assistant teacher at D’Iberville Elementary. A number of years later, they were reassigned to Bayonne, New Jersey but after a short year, retired from the Air Force and returned to their beloved Gulf Coast. In 1979, Scottie began establishing her legacy with Biloxi through volunteering and serving people and as a spokesperson for the disabled. Her first position was as the Regional Representative for the Mississippi Easter Seal Society where Scottie found her passion working with the disabled and handicapped. In 1982, Scottie began her work as the Outreach Services Specialist for the City of Biloxi. In this position, she was responsible for the supervision of the Biloxi Visitors Center, disabled services, the volunteer recruitment, placement, youth and special event programs and served as staff liaison with the Mayor’s Awareness Committee for Citizens with Disabilities. Over the years, as the Coordinator for Outreach Services, Scottie coordinated many special events like the Mardi Gras celebration, Christmas on the Water, and the Salvation Army’s Care and Share and Angel Tree Programs. From 1993 – 1994, Scottie served as acting Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Biloxi. Scottie is credited with a number of “firsts” and has received many honors for her service. She started the summer playground and enrichment program for children ages 5 through 12, the Fourth of July Celebration, and helped establish the Arts Fair for the Handicapped. Through Scottie’s efforts, the City of Biloxi was the first city to receive the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities annual Community Service Award. Other awards Scottie received are from the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, Biloxi Salvation Army, Mississippi Special Olympics and the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities. In 1992, Scottie received the prestigious Jefferson Award for her work with the disabled. Scottie retired from the City of Biloxi on May 16, 2001 after 19 years of service but did not retire from volunteering and serving the citizens of Biloxi. Scottie loved her church, Biloxi First United Methodist, and was instrumental in the church’s relocation after Hurricane Katrina. Scottie continued to volunteer and serve those who were less fortunate and could regularly be seen at the Biloxi VA with the Pet Ministry Program. Her loving companion of 11 eleven years, Toby, was her constant sidekick as they both warmed the hearts of many they touched. Scottie was preceded in death by her husband, William L. Maddox Jr., her parents, James and Margaret Scott, and a sister, Judith Foote. She is survived by her children William S. Maddox Sr. (Jane Ann) of Wiggins, MS, Steven G. Maddox (Delarie) of Gulfport, MS, Stacy M. Poats (Joe) of Charlotte, N.C., and Sandy M. Takacs (Mark) of Gilbertsville, PA, and her brother-in-law, Larry Foote of Thornton, CO. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Rylan, Jared, Ben, Will, Cameron, Carter Rae, Bret, Mary Margaret, Mary Grayson, and Sarah Catherine, two step-grandchildren, Lea and Drew, one great-grandchild Camryn and her “co-mother-in-law” Virginia Burchfield. In addition, she is survived by many special friends who meant the world to her. Funeral services will be held at Biloxi First United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 24th, 2012. Friends may visit between 9:00 am – 11:00 am and services will commence at 11:00 am. Interment will be on Monday, November 26th, 2012 at the Biloxi National Cemetery at 12:30 pm. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, Scottie preferred memorials be sent to the Stone County SPCA, 1989 Highway 26, Wiggins, MS 39577 or Biloxi First United Methodist Church, 14220 Shriners Blvd., Biloxi, MS 39532. A special note of gratitude goes to the staff of St. Joseph Hospice of Southern Mississippi, Dr. Tiffany Worthington, Richard Walker and the medical personnel and caregivers who were so loving and compassionate with Scottie in her last days.
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Past Services

Visitation

Saturday, November 24, 2012

9:00 - 11:00 am

First United Methodist Church of Biloxi

14220 Hwy. 67, Biloxi, MS 39532

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Service

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Starts at 11:00 am

First United Methodist Church of Biloxi

14220 Hwy. 67, Biloxi, MS 39532

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Cemetery

Biloxi National Cemetery

400 Veterans Ave., Biloxi, MS 39531

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