Mary Madison Fill

Mary Aldia Madison Fill passed away peacefully at her home in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on November 24th, 2025, at the age of 99 with her children by her side. Born in 1926 to Margaret Bradley Rutland and Edward Orville Madison, she grew up in Chilhowie, Virginia, alongside her younger siblings Margaret Lucille “Peggy” Kegley, Edward “Sonny” Daniels Madison, and Nancy Lorraine Vaughn.

At age 18, after marrying George Andrew Fill, a Captain in the Army at the outset of WWII, they built a remarkable life together. As the spouse of a Foreign Service Officer, Mary raised five children in the diverse cultures of Istanbul, Tokyo, Mexico City, Managua, and Montevideo. Together as a family they traveled the world.

Inspired by her mother, also an organist, Mary’s skills as a talented organist became her passion and was central to her family’s musical gatherings. After retirement, she served as the first organist at King of Glory Lutheran Church (North Myrtle Beach, SC) for over 30 years. The original church organ, which also traversed the globe, remains in her home to this day.

With her husband, George, she lived an active retirement and enjoyed bowling, golfing and entertaining friends and extended family who visited the beach. An accomplished artist and dedicated crafter, Mary was also very involved in community service. Through her association in the American Cancer Society, she raised thousands of dollars through the sale of local cookbooks. Additionally, she served as Commissioner of Elections for North Myrtle Beach for nearly a decade in the late 1990s.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George, and son Clifford George Fill (Ellyn). She is survived by children Patricia Kay Moebs (Norman), Deborah Marie Smithson (John), Susan Leigh Funderburk (Glenn) and Robert George Fill (Alejandra), as well as 15 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, each of whom she deeply loved, who knew her as their Yaya.

Mary will be remembered for her love for Christ, her service to the church, her unwavering kindness, and her sense of humor that brightened every room she entered. Her legacy of love and resilience continues to inspire all who knew her, and her cherished memories will live on in the hearts of her vast family and friends.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. on November 29th at King of Glory Lutheran Church in North Myrtle Beach (805 11th Ave North) with early visitation at 10am; followed by interment at North Myrtle Beach Memorial Gardens beside her beloved George.

Donations in Mary’s honor may be made to the North Myrtle Beach Humane Society; 409 Bay St. North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.

Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the Fill family.