Madalene Edith Tinsley

Madalene E. Tinsley, mother of three, friend of many, teacher to all, of Hartwood, Virginia passed away August 20, 2011 at her home. Mrs. Tinsley celebrated her 89th birthday with family and friends this past June.

Mrs. Tinsley received her bachelors’ degree from the University of Maryland, and her Masters of Education from the University of Virginia. She was a well-known educator in both Maryland and Virginia and participated as an Alpha Delta Kappa Education Sorority member. Madalene was a lifelong member, Sunday school teacher, choir participant, and current deacon of Richland Baptist Church. She was past President of the Fredericksburg Baptist Association. She was an active member and past President of the Stafford County Senior Citizen Center and was instrumental in establishing the relocation of the Senior Citizen Center several years ago. She was awarded Grandparent of the year by Stafford County Senior Citizens Center in 1998 and Stafford County teacher of the year in 1991.

She is preceded in death by her husband Thomas Luther Tinsley, Jr. and her parents, Donald and Florence Schleigh. She is survived by her children, Terri L. Matthews of Ocean City, MD, Steve Tinsley and wife Robyn, Joyce E. Willis and husband Robert A. Willis of Fredericksburg; seven grandchildren, Lisa L. Schutz of Bel Air, MD, Chad R. Willis of Winston-Salem, NC, Ginger L. Tinsley of Glen Burnie, MD, Scott N. Matthews, Jr. of Baltimore, MD, Sarah C. Tinsley-Wright, Kenton B. Conlee and Blake T. Willis of Fredericksburg, VA; six great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, August 24th at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Home, Fredericksburg Chapel where services will be held on Thursday, August 25th at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will be receiving guests following the burial at her home.

Memorial donations may be made to Olde Forge Junction, 400 Chatham Square Office Park Fredericksburg, VA 22405. Mrs. Tinsley had been a volunteer with this education program for high need children for many years.