The Norman Transcript
July 20, 2011
NORMAN — Katherine Teresa Wey Maddox (Kay Maddox) went to be with her Lord and savior on Sunday, July 17, 2011, dying peacefully in her sleep, after living a rich and full life for 97 years, 1 month and 15 days.
Kay was born in Leedy on June 2, 1914. She was the oldest of four children born to Paul P. Wey and Myrtle Leigh Wey. Kay graduated from Chillicothe, Texas, High School in 1931, and she attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in teaching, emphasizing mathematics. Kay later obtained her master’s degree.
While at OU, Kay met the love of her life, Gaiser Dawson Maddox. The two were married on Dec. 7, 1938, in Panama, and they lived in Venezuela until the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Immediately following that event, the couple returned to the United States and Mr. Maddox entered active military service. Due to his expertise, he was assigned to an office in Washington, D.C., that monitored the production of oil from the Middle East. It was there that the first of two sons were born, and shortly after the conclusion of the war, a second son was born while the couple resided in Midwest City.
The family moved to Venezuela in 1946 and then to Norman in 1948, where the couple resided for the next 53 years, except for one year when the family lived in Parkersburg, W.Va. Mrs. Maddox taught mathematics in the Norman Public Schools for 30 years, retiring in 1978. Mr. and Mrs. Maddox moved to Ponca City in 2001 to be near their younger son, John.
Mrs. Maddox was, for more than 50 years, an active member of the First Baptist Church of Norman, serving on many different committees. Upon her move to Ponca City, she promptly joined the First Baptist Church there. Gaiser and Kay were active in the International Student Association at OU and became “second parents” to many international students.
Gaiser and Kay had many friends with which they enjoyed spending their time. One group played a monthly canasta card game for more than 40 years. Gaiser and Kay enjoyed traveling and made many extended trips oversees; Kay especially delighted in her grandchildren and was blessed with seven great-grandchildren.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her husband of 67 years, Gaiser, who died on Dec. 22, 2005. Kay was a resident of Westminster Village in Ponca City. Kay outlived all three of her younger siblings, but is survived by both her sons, Ken Maddox who lives in Hood River, Ore., and John Maddox and wife Sharon, who live in Ponca City; three grandchildren, Kimber Morrow and her husband Steve, who live in Salisbury, Md., Kristin Cheng and her husband James, who live in Norman; and K.C. Maddox and his wife Kinsey, who live in Midlothian, Texas; and seven great-grandchildren, Ethan Morrow, Eli Morrow, Kate Cheng, Joshua Cheng, Ellie Cheng, Quinn Maddox and Olivia “Liv” Maddox. Kay also is survived by two sisters-in-law Eulonda Alkim and Ruth Maddox, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family requests that memorials be made to any Christian charity of your choice. Both Mr. And Mrs. Maddox donated their bodies to medical research; therefore, no funeral is planned. A memorial service will be planned and announced in the future.
Mrs. Maddox’s online guest book may be signed at www.gracememorialchapel.net.
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