DON MADDOX

 The following bio was taken from page 296 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

 Transcribed by Shirley Koym

 Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Cemeteries of Texas

 A dispute in East Texas in 1826 over a land grant from Mexico put the desire for freedom into action.  That action led to the Alamo and Texas Independence.  By the year 1846 a new frontier was opened, the State of Texas.  Mary and John Maddoux, a brick mason from Tennessee, loaded their wagons and headed for acres of opportunity.  Traveling with them were their five children, one named William Oscar Wingfield Maddox.

 Williams grew up and married Rachel Elizabeth Dunklin from Alabama, and settled in Henderson in the 1880’s.  A farm was secured, and seven children were born, four boys and three girls.  A vision for truth and knowledge inspired William to donate a parcel of land in New Harmony, Texas for an interdenominational church and a school.  The school began and soon had a teacher named Mary Ann Josephine Bridges (1887-1949), who boarded with the Maddox family.

 Romance sparked with the next to the youngest Maddox child, Ross (1892-1939), a handsome marine, met Josie.  They were married and joined the family business of making brick and contracting jobs:  buildings like the Howard-Dickinson Historic Home display some of the brick of the Maddox bricklaying skills in the Dickinson addition.  Ross exhibited his training in constructing the present Rusk County Courthouse and other buildings.

Five children were born to this industrious family:  Maryan, who married Frank McAlister; Fay, who married Sherry Pool, Kathleen Gray, Gwen Deason; Don Merle, who married Cleo Duran and then Joan Higginbotham; Ross Elsie, who married Bill Gibbs; and Jamie Gray, who married Pat Dudley.

 Don (1925-1981) joined the U. S. Marines.  Upon his discharge, he returned to Henderson and married Francis Joan Higginbotham, daughter of “Poss” and Mary Higginbotham of Panola County.  Don also became a brick mason and was contractor for Henderson High School, the Post Office, and the Chamber of Commerce, Crawford Funeral Home and many local residences.  In 1969 Don was awarded for his workmanship on the Henderson Clay Products offices.

 Joan (1931-) graduated from Carlisle High at Price, Texas.  She and her husband designed and built their two-story home on the Laneville Highway.  It was called a “salt box” because of its square shape and flat roof.  Farming, hunting, fishing, cattle, and horses beckoned many relatives and friends to visit.  Joan also worked at the Henderson Memorial Hospital.  Later she owned and operated King’s Grill Restaurant.  Since 1974 she has served as assistant director of the International Outreach House of Prayer.  Their children – Wanda Sue, Eddie Louis, and Donald Wayne – grew up in a family atmosphere of faith, courage, love and accomplishment.

Wanda (1946-), daughter by a previous marriage, graduated from Henderson High and attended college.  She is married to James Cunningham, and they reside in Shreveport, Louisiana with their two children, Shannon and Stacy.

 Childhood memories, which included an annual hunt to Jasper thickets, summer jobs, schoolwork, and sports, developed Eddie and Donald into men of vision, hope, and ability.  After graduating from Henderson High School, Eddie (1952-) completed Bible school and college, and served in the U. S. Army.  In 1974 he founded the International Outreach House of Prayer in Henderson, Texas, an interdenominational church and school.  The school, Hope Christian School, educated pupils in grades kindergarten through high school, spiritually, physically and academically in an individualized curriculum.  The ministry also operates a bookstore and a daycare center.

Donald (1955-), a journeyman brick mason and pilot, is married to Karen Lott from Jacksonville, Texas.  They have a daughter Dana Lashell.  Donald also graduated from Henderson High School and attended college and flight school.  He is active in church and likes to hunt and fish.

 Through faith in God’s word and patience in God’s timing, this family has believed the Bible verse Matthew 6:33:  “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Jesus Christ is Lord of the Don Maddox Family.

 Submitted by Eddie Maddox